If the absorbed dose is doubled, what happens to the equivalent dose?

The equivalent dose is calculated by taking the absorbed dose and multiplying it by a quality factor, which accounts for the type of radiation and its biological effects. If the absorbed dose is doubled, the equivalent dose will also double, assuming that the quality factor remains constant.

This relationship is fundamental as it ensures that the biological impact of the radiation is accurately assessed based on the amount of energy deposited in the biological tissue (the absorbed dose) and the type of radiation involved. Therefore, when the absorbed dose increases, the potential damage to biological tissue is expected to increase in line, which results in a doubling of the equivalent dose.