After standing in a 2 mR/h field for 4 hours, what would the assistant's total dose be?

To determine the total dose received by the assistant after standing in a 2 mR/h radiation field for 4 hours, it is essential to understand how to calculate the dose based on dose rate and exposure time.

The dose rate provides the amount of radiation exposure per hour, in this case, 2 mR/h. Given that the assistant is exposed to this radiation for a duration of 4 hours, you can calculate the total dose by multiplying the dose rate by the time of exposure:

Total Dose = Dose Rate × Time

Total Dose = 2 mR/h × 4 h = 8 mR

The calculation yields a total dose of 8 milliroentgens (mR), which corresponds to the provided answer. Understanding this fundamental relationship between exposure time and radiation dose is crucial for anyone involved in radiation safety, as it helps quantify potential risks and manage exposure effectively.