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Ionizing radiation may ionize atoms in living cells as it passes through the body Why does that cause concern?
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∙ 14y ago
Chemical reactions are changed by ionization. Ionized atoms act chemically differently than unionized atoms.
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∙ 14y ago
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What does it mean when an energy wave is ionizing?
Short Answer:One usually uses the term "ionizing radiation" to describe electromagnetic or particle radiation, that ionizes atoms or molecule.In order to ionize an atom or molecule or other material particle, there has to be energy supplied that is sufficient to remove or "eject" an electron from the atom, molecule or particle. The amount of energy necessary to eject an electron is usually about a fraction of an electron volt of more. It depends on the material being ionized.One does not usually use the term "energy wave" but there is nothing technically wrong with that term. That term would, for instance, distinguish between electromagnetic (wave) radiation and particle radiation.Additional:Ionizing radiation is important in medical technologies for treating cancer and other diseases. Both electromagnetic (photon) and particle therapies involve ionizing radiation. See related link.Ionizing radiation is, more generally, an example of how radioactivity can harm living tissue. It is also important in the context of radioactivity because fast moving particles, such as alpha and beta rays, lose a great deal of energy when they ionize material, so the "stopping power" of a substance acting as a radiation shield is largely determined by how much ionization takes place in the material as energetic charged particles pass through.Ionizing radiation exists in nature in many forms. The Aurora Borealis is a consequence of ionizing radiation from the sun.
Which type of radiation ionizes atoms and molecules?
Alpha and Beta are the most efficient forms of radiation that can ionize atoms. However Gamma can do it too.
How does radiation affect the structure of a stable molecule such as a molecule of water?
Radiation can involve gamma rays, X-Rays, alpha particles and beta partcles. In terms of molecules these are termed ionizing radiation but they both ionize and break bonds to produce radicals. Ionizing radiations effect on water is to produce hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen, oxygen, ozone, . The pathways are complex involving the breakdown of water molecules into positively charged radicals, such as H2O+, neutral radicals OH and H and solvated electrons. Chain reactions coupled with reionization of some of the "initial" products makes for a complex situation.
What type of radioactive decay is used in smoke detectors?
Most smoke detectors which operate alarms contain an artificially produced radioisotope: americium-241 in the form of americium dioxide. Americium-241 is made in nuclear reactors, and is a decay product of plutonium-241. It emits mostly alpha particles and relatively little harmful gamma radiation. The amount of americium in a typical new smoke detector is 1 microcurie or about 0.29 micrograms. The smoke detector works by using the americium as a source of ionizing radiation to ionize the air in an ionization chamber between two electrodes. The slightly ionized air allows a small current to be conducted between the two electrodes. When smoke enters the chamber, it absorbs some of the ionizing radiation, reducing or eliminating the current and triggering the alarm.
What is the connection between x-rays and radiation?
Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, Gamma Rays etc. are all Electromagnetic radiation, just at different frequencies.In physics, radiation is any process by which energy travels from one body to another.When most people hear radiation they think of ionising radiation, which is a radiation that is strong enough to ionize atoms.X-Rays are both Electromagnetic radiation and ionising radiation, because of the later it is a health hazard.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiography
What is meant by ionising radiation?
See the Wikipedia article 'Ionising Radiation' of which this is the introduction. Ionizing radiation consists of subatomic particles or waves that are energetic enough to detach (ionize) electrons from atoms or molecules. Ionizing ability depends on the energy of the impinging individual particles or waves, and not on their number. A large flood of particles or waves will not cause ionization if these particles or waves do not carry enough energy to be ionizing. Examples of ionizing particles are energetic alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons. The ability of electromagnetic waves (photons) to ionize an atom or molecule depends on their wavelength. Radiation on the short wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum - ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays - is ionizing.
Why is ultraviolet light considered ionizing radiation?
That means that it is energetic enough to ionize atoms - to convert neutral atoms into ions.
What do scientist mean by radiation?
In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energy or waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing. The word radiation is commonly used in reference to ionizing radiation only (i.e., having sufficient energy to ionize an atom), but it may also refer to non-ionizing radiation (e.g., radio waves, heat orvisible light). The energy radiates (i.e., travels outward in straight lines in all directions) from its source. This geometry naturally leads to a system of measurements and physical units that are equally applicable to all types of radiation. Both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation can be harmful to organisms and can result in changes to the natural environment.
Is UV visible and IR range considered non ionizing radiation?
No of course not.answ2. Light and heat are ordinary EM (electromagnetic) radiation.Ionizing radiation is sufficiently energetic to remove parts of an atom, and to thus ionize it.The UV from sunshine may damage the molecular bonds, but this is not ionizing radiation.
Why is it called Radiation and not something else?
Because "The word radiation is commonly used in reference to ionizing radiation only (i.e., having sufficient energy to ionize an atom), but it may also refer to non-ionizing radiation (e.g., radio waves or visible light). The energy radiates(i.e., travels outward in straight lines in all directions) from its source"
What is ionizing radiation and how can we reduce the risk of it damaging us?
Ionizing radiation is electromagnetic radiation or particulate radiation having enough energy per quantum to remove electrons from atoms, thus creating positive ions.The types of electromagnetic radiation with enough energy per photon (the quantum of electromagnetism) to ionize atoms are:ultraviolet Cx-raysgamma raysThe types of particulate radiation with enough energy per particle (i.e. quantum) to ionize atoms are:alpha particlesbeta particlescosmic rays (both primary and secondary)The only way to reduce the risk is to minimize exposure, but remember exposure cannot be completely eliminated as all of these types of ionizing radiation are present at low dose rates all around us.
What types of sensor used in smoke alarm?
some use a photocell looking for a light source thru the air some use a nuclear source of ionizing radiation to ionize the air then measure its conductivity
Which forms of nuclear radiation are capable of ionizing matter?
Ionizing radiation consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, ionizing them. The occurrence of ionization depends on the energy of the impinging individual particles or waves, and not on their number. An intense flood of particles or waves will not cause ionization if these particles or waves do not carry enough energy to be ionizing. Roughly speaking, particles or photons with energies above a few electron volts (eV) are ionizing. Examples of ionizing particles are energetic alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons. The ability of electromagnetic waves (photons) to ionize an atom or molecule depends on their wavelength. Radiation on the short wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum - ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays - is ionizing.
What is nonionizing radiation?
Ionizing radiation causes some of the atoms it strikes to be ionized. There are several different types: alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, gamma rays, x-rays, and ultraviolet light. Non-ionizing radiation, which does not ionize atoms, includes visible light, infrared light, radio waves, and so on.To understand the biological effects of radiation we must first understand the difference between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. In general, two things can happen when radiation is absorbed by matter: excitation or ionization.Excitation occurs when the radiation excites the motion of the atoms or molecules, or excites an electron from an occupied orbital into an empty, higher-energy orbital.Ionization occurs when the radiation carries enough energy to remove an electron from an atom or molecule.Because living tissue is 70-90% water by weight, the dividing line between radiation that excites electrons and radiation that forms ions is often assumed to be equal to the ionization of water: 1216 kJ/mol. Radiation that carries less energy can only excite the water molecule. It is therefore called non-ionizing radiation. Radiation that carries more energy than 1216 kJ/mol can remove an electron from a water molecule, and is therefore called ionizing radiation.Related links are provided below.
What does dualistic character of electromagnetic radiation mean?
EM waves at frequencies below ultraviolet are analyzed using wave theory and do not ionize atoms. At UV and above they are analyzed as particles and are capable of ionizing any atoms. That is their dual nature.
What electromagnetic radiation is the least energetic?
Perhaps you mean one of these, I can't tell:Alpha particle radiation: least penetrating ionizing radiation, 100% shielding provided by one sheet of paper.ELF radio: lowest energy radio waves (~0.01Hz), travels long distances and through water. U.S. Navy experimented with it for communicating with Submarines.Red light: Lowest frequency of visible light.Violet light: Shortest wavelength of visible light.Very High Energy Gamma radiation: Shortest wavelength of any known radiation.Anyway, least in what way?
What does it mean when an energy wave is ionizing?
Short Answer:One usually uses the term "ionizing radiation" to describe electromagnetic or particle radiation, that ionizes atoms or molecule.In order to ionize an atom or molecule or other material particle, there has to be energy supplied that is sufficient to remove or "eject" an electron from the atom, molecule or particle. The amount of energy necessary to eject an electron is usually about a fraction of an electron volt of more. It depends on the material being ionized.One does not usually use the term "energy wave" but there is nothing technically wrong with that term. That term would, for instance, distinguish between electromagnetic (wave) radiation and particle radiation.Additional:Ionizing radiation is important in medical technologies for treating cancer and other diseases. Both electromagnetic (photon) and particle therapies involve ionizing radiation. See related link.Ionizing radiation is, more generally, an example of how radioactivity can harm living tissue. It is also important in the context of radioactivity because fast moving particles, such as alpha and beta rays, lose a great deal of energy when they ionize material, so the "stopping power" of a substance acting as a radiation shield is largely determined by how much ionization takes place in the material as energetic charged particles pass through.Ionizing radiation exists in nature in many forms. The Aurora Borealis is a consequence of ionizing radiation from the sun.
