The Radiation Weighting Factor (RWF) is a dimensionless factor used in radiation protection to account for the varying biological effects of different types of radiation. It is a crucial component in the calculation of the equivalent dose, which helps in assessing the potential health risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation. The RWF adjusts the absorbed dose received by tissues to reflect the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the radiation type. For instance, alpha particles have a higher RWF compared to gamma rays, indicating that they cause more biological damage per unit of absorbed dose.
