Radiation

Radiation as used in physics, is energy in the form of waves or moving subatomic particles. Radiation can be classified as ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, depending on its effect on atomic matter. The most common use of the word "radiation" refers to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules while non-ionizing radiation does not. Radioactive material is a physical material that emits ionizing radiation.

This shows three different types of radiation and their penetration levels

This shows three different types of radiation and their penetration levels

[edit] Types of Radiation

* Electromagnetic radiation: (Energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or photons.)

o Non-ionizing

+ Thermal radiation (heat radiation)

+ Radio waves

+ Microwave radiation, as used in microwave ovens

+ Infrared radiation (IR), produced by heat

+ Visible light light that is visible to the naked eye

+ Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than soft X-rays.

o Ionizing

+ X-rays, used in radiography for medical diagnosis

+ Gamma radiation, usually emitted by radioactive atoms

* Particle radiation: (Energy in the form of moving subatomic particles.)

o Alpha radiation, composed of the nuclei of helium-4 atoms

o Beta radiation, consisting of energetic electrons or positrons

o Neutron radiation, consisting of neutrons

The effect of magnetic and electric fields on these particles/rays:

* Positively charged alpha particles are deflected