Ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation is a type of particle radiation in which an individual particle (for example, a photon, electron, or helium nucleus) carries enough energy to ionize an atom or molecule (that is, to completely remove an electron from its orbit). If the individual particles do not carry this amount of energy, it is essentially impossible for even a large flood of particles to cause ionization. These ionizations, if enough occur, can be very destructive to living tissue.

Related Topics:
Particle radiation - Photon - Electron - Helium - Nucleus - Ion

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The composition of ionizing radiation can vary. Electromagnetic radiation can cause ionization if the energy per photon is high enough (that is, the wavelength is short enough). Ultraviolet light (excluding "near UVA"), X-rays, and gamma rays are all ionizing radiation, while visible light, microwaves, and radio waves are not. Ionizing radiation may also consist of fast-moving particles such as electrons, positrons, or small atomic nuclei.

Related Topics:
Electromagnetic radiation - Ultraviolet light - X-ray - Gamma ray - Visible light - Microwave - Radio wave - Electron - Positron - Nuclei

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