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Which forms of nuclear radiation are capable of ionizing matter?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoIonizing radiation consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, ionizing them. Nuclear materials are substances that emit nuclear radiation and are fairly common.
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Explain ionization which forms of nuclear radiation are capable of ionizing matter?
electromagnetic
What type of nuclear radiation can travel farthest through matter?
neutron emission
What are the dangers of neutron radiation?
Neutron radiation is as dangerous as any other ionizing radiation, if not more dangerous,as by some sources, it can be as many as ten times more dangerous as other ionizing radiation. It is not directly ionizing radiation, since neutrons do not hold electric charge, but they interact (collide) with nuclei in it's path, creating isotopes, most of the time non-sable, radioactive isotopes. That is why neutron radiation induces a secondary radiation in the material it passes through. The penetration of neutron flux is rather strong, and is not affected by the shield density, as is the case with gamma radiation, but rather by a material rich with Hydrogen (deuterium) atoms, since H atoms contain one single proton/neutron, and the collision physics slow down the neutrons in this matter most efficiently. Therefore, heavy water, plexiglass, plastics and similar materials are used as an effective shield in neutron radiation protection.
Why is radioactivity referred to as ionizing radiation?
Radioactivity occurs with the breakdown r decay of certain unstable atomic nuclei. This nuclear radiation is dangerous because it has a lot of energy-on the order of millions of electron volts per emitted particle. Because chemical bonds take about 3-4 electron volts to break, this energy is enough to break apart ordinarily stable molecules into smaller, highly reactive fragments-most of which are ions. Thus, nuclear radiation gets the name ionizing radiation.
What are the methods of detecting nuclear radiation?
Radiation energetic enough to ionize matter with which it collides is called Ionizing Radiation. The Geiger counter is a radiation detection device that makes use of ionizing radiation in its operation. This device is also used to measure the amount of radiation.
Explain ionization. which forms of nuclear radiation are capable of ionizing matter?
electromagnetic
Explain ionization which forms of nuclear radiation are capable of ionizing matter?
electromagnetic
What has the author Hooshang Nikjoo written?
Hooshang Nikjoo has written: 'Interaction of radiation with matter' -- subject(s): Ionizing radiation, MEDICAL / Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Materials, SCIENCE / Energy, Particle tracks (Nuclear physics), Radiobiology, Effect of radiation on, SCIENCE / Nuclear Physics
What is the term for electromagnetic radiation that carries enough energy to remove electrons from matter?
We call that ionizing radiation.
Are there greater ionizing or non-ionizing industrial hazards in the US?
The use of ionizing radiation in the American workplace has been substantially reduced during the last 30-40 years. As a result of that reduction, have the hazards of non-ionizing radiation used in the workplace become greater than the remaining hazards of ionizing radiation still in use? There are no readily accessible studies to tell us whether or not that has happened, and mostly it does not matter. The important thing is to deal correctly with all the radiation hazards, ionizing and non-ionizing, that are present in each particular workplace.
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 type of nuclear radiation can travel farthest through matter?
neutron emission
What are the dangers of neutron radiation?
Neutron radiation is as dangerous as any other ionizing radiation, if not more dangerous,as by some sources, it can be as many as ten times more dangerous as other ionizing radiation. It is not directly ionizing radiation, since neutrons do not hold electric charge, but they interact (collide) with nuclei in it's path, creating isotopes, most of the time non-sable, radioactive isotopes. That is why neutron radiation induces a secondary radiation in the material it passes through. The penetration of neutron flux is rather strong, and is not affected by the shield density, as is the case with gamma radiation, but rather by a material rich with Hydrogen (deuterium) atoms, since H atoms contain one single proton/neutron, and the collision physics slow down the neutrons in this matter most efficiently. Therefore, heavy water, plexiglass, plastics and similar materials are used as an effective shield in neutron radiation protection.
Why is radioactivity referred to as ionizing radiation?
Radioactivity occurs with the breakdown r decay of certain unstable atomic nuclei. This nuclear radiation is dangerous because it has a lot of energy-on the order of millions of electron volts per emitted particle. Because chemical bonds take about 3-4 electron volts to break, this energy is enough to break apart ordinarily stable molecules into smaller, highly reactive fragments-most of which are ions. Thus, nuclear radiation gets the name ionizing radiation.
What has the author V V Balashov written?
V. V. Balashov has written: 'Interaction of particles and radiation with matter' -- subject(s): Particles (Nuclear physics), Matter, Effect of radiation on
What is the scientific study of energy in radiology?
Radiation physics is the scientific study of energy in radiology, which involves the interactions of ionizing radiation with matter and the principles behind the production, detection, and application of radiation in medical imaging. This field covers topics such as radiation dose, imaging techniques, radiation safety, and quality control in radiology.
Why xrays dangerous and not radio waves?
Although radio waves, visible light and X-rays are all part of the electromagnetic spectrum, x-rays travel with a much higher energy at a very short wavelength and create ionizing radiation. When an x-ray passes through organic matter the denser matter will block some of the radiation and that radiation will be deposited in the matter creating some cell damage.
