"Ionizing radiation (or ionising radiation), including nuclear radiation, consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that have sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules by detaching electrons from them."
Radiation is energy that is emitted in the form of waves or particles and can cause harm to human beings, animals, and the environment.
Radiation Basics: Understand what radiation is, its properties, types, units and measurement methods, and effects on biological organisms.
Health Physics: Learn how to protect people from the harmful effects of radiation, minimize exposure, detect radiation, and calculate radiation doses.
Nuclear Physics: Study the principles of nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, fission, fusion, and their associated applications, such as energy production, medical diagnosis, and treatment.
Radiation Protection Regulations: Learn about the national and international regulations, standards, and guidelines that govern the use of radiation and radioactive materials to ensure safety and security.
Radioactive Waste Management: Understand how to handle, transport, store, and dispose of radioactive waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
Radiation Detection and Measurement Techniques: Get familiar with the various methods used to detect and measure radiation, such as Geiger-Müller counters, scintillation detectors, and spectrometry.
Radiation Shielding and Penetration: Learn about the principles of radiation shielding, including the types and thicknesses of materials used to absorb or deflect ionizing radiation.
Biological Effects of Radiation: Explore the different ways in which radiation can interact with living matter, including stochastic and deterministic effects, acute and chronic exposures, and dose-response relationships.
Radiological Emergency Response: Learn how to respond to emergencies involving radiation, including accident or intentional release, and handle contaminated individuals, equipment, and facilities.
Medical Radiation: Study the use of radiation in medicine, from diagnostic imaging to radiation therapy, and the associated risks and benefits.
Non-ionizing Radiation: Understand the effects of non-ionizing radiation, such as electromagnetic waves, UV light, and microwaves, and their applications in communication, energy, and health.
Mathematical Modeling of Radiation: Learn about the mathematical models used to predict the behavior of radiation in different environments, and how they are used to design and optimize radiation detectors, shielding, and dose calculations.
Nuclear Terrorism: Explore the threat of nuclear terrorism, the risk of radiological weapons, and the countermeasures available to prevent or mitigate such events.
Radiation Oncology: Get an overview of radiation oncology, the branch of medicine that uses radiation to treat cancer, and the associated techniques and technologies.
Environmental Radioactivity: Learn about the sources and fate of environmental radioactivity, including natural and anthropogenic sources, and the associated risks and impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Alpha Radiation: This is a form of ionizing radiation that occurs when alpha particles are emitted from the nucleus of an atom. They consist of two protons and two neutrons, which means they have a positive charge. Alpha radiation can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of skin.
Beta radiation: Beta particles are high-energy, fast-moving electrons produced by the decay of a radioactive atom. Beta radiation can penetrate through skin, but not very far into the body. They can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminum.
Gamma radiation: Gamma radiation is a form of ionizing radiation that is the most energetic and potentially dangerous. It is produced by the decay of radioactive atoms, but can also be produced by nuclear reactions. Gamma radiation can penetrate through many materials and is usually blocked only by thick lead shielding.
Neutron radiation: Neutron radiation is produced when a neutron is emitted from the nucleus of an atom. It is a form of ionizing radiation that is very dangerous because it can penetrate deep into the body and cause damage to DNA.
X-rays: X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that are produced by high-energy electrons or by the decay of radioactive atoms. They can penetrate through many materials, including human tissue, and are commonly used for diagnostic imaging.
Ultraviolet radiation (UV): UV radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is produced by the sun and by artificial sources like tanning beds. It can cause damage to DNA and is a major cause of skin cancer.
Infrared radiation: Infrared radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is produced by warm objects. It is commonly used in infrared thermometers and is also used in heating applications.
Microwave radiation: Microwave radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is used in microwave ovens and in telecommunications. It can cause heating of tissues and can be harmful to the eyes.
Radio waves: Radio waves are a form of non-ionizing radiation that are used in radio and television communication. They can also be used for heating and medical treatments.
Cosmic radiation: Cosmic radiation is a form of ionizing radiation that comes from outer space. It is a major concern for aircrews and astronauts, as it can cause significant long-term health effects.
Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation is any form of radiation that can cause ionization of atoms or molecules. It is a significant concern for nuclear workers, as it can cause long-term health effects.
Non-ionizing radiation: Non-ionizing radiation is any form of radiation that does not have enough energy to cause ionization of atoms or molecules. It includes UV radiation, infrared radiation, microwave radiation, and radio waves.
"Gamma rays, X-rays, and the higher energy ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum are ionizing radiation."
"The lower energy ultraviolet, visible light, nearly all types of laser light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves are non-ionizing radiation."
"The boundary between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in the ultraviolet area cannot be sharply defined, as different molecules and atoms ionize at different energies."
"The energy of ionizing radiation starts between 10 electronvolts (eV) and 33 eV."
"Typical ionizing subatomic particles include alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons. These are typically created by radioactive decay, and almost all are energetic enough to ionize."
"Yes, there are secondary cosmic particles produced after cosmic rays interact with Earth's atmosphere, including muons, mesons, and positrons."
"Cosmic rays and the decay of radioactive isotopes are the primary sources of natural ionizing radiation on Earth, contributing to background radiation."
"Ionizing radiation is also generated artificially by X-ray tubes, particle accelerators, and nuclear fission."
"Instruments such as Geiger counters are used to detect and measure ionizing radiation."
"Yes, very high energy particles can produce visible effects on both organic and inorganic matter (e.g. water lighting in Cherenkov radiation) or humans (e.g. acute radiation syndrome)."
"Ionizing radiation is used in a wide variety of fields such as medicine, nuclear power, research, and industrial manufacturing."
"Exposure to ionizing radiation causes cell damage to living tissue and organ damage."
"In high acute doses, it will result in radiation burns and radiation sickness."
"Yes, lower level doses over a protracted time can cause cancer."
"The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) issues guidance on ionizing radiation protection."
"Subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves have sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules by detaching electrons from them."
"The lower energy ultraviolet, visible light, nearly all types of laser light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves are non-ionizing radiation."
"Typical ionizing subatomic particles include alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons."
"Exposure to ionizing radiation causes cell damage to living tissue and organ damage."