Final answer:
If a person receives the same dose equivalent from different types of radiation, they are considered to have the same potential for tissue damage despite varying energy absorption. The dose equivalent considers different radiation types' relative biological effectiveness, which does not directly correlate with the energy absorbed per kilogram.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the impact of different types of ionizing radiation on human tissue requires examining their energy deposition and biological effects. If a person receives the same dose equivalent from two different types of nuclear radiation, it means that the effects of their differing abilities to cause biological damage have been accounted for, hence both types of radiation are considered to have the same potential to cause tissue damage even if the energy absorbed per kilogram is different.
The absorbed dose deals with the amount of radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of tissue, which is measured in rads (or grays in the SI system). When we talk about the same absorbed dose from two different types of nuclear radiation, it does not necessarily mean they will do the same amount of damage because different types of radiation have different relative biological effectiveness (RBE) or quality factors (QFs). For example, alpha particles can be much more damaging than gamma rays per unit of energy absorbed due to their higher RBE, even if the dose in rads is the same.
Therefore, the statement that if a person receives the same dose equivalent from two different types of nuclear radiation, then both types of radiation do the same amount of damage to her tissues, is correct. On the other hand, the statement that if a person receives the same dose equivalent from two different types of nuclear radiation, then she absorbs the same amount of energy per kilogram for both types of radiation is incorrect because dose equivalent takes into account the different RBEs.