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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.
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Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe difference between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation is that ionizing radiation has the ability to strip atoms and molecules of their negatively charged electrons.This leaves behind a positively charged ion, hence the name IONizing radiation. On the EM (electromagnetic) Spectrum, they give you 3 basic examples: X - rays, Gamma Rays, and Comic Rays (whether or not UV Rays should be considered ionizing radiation is in dispute).
Ionizing radiation strips an atom/molecule of an electron if the radiation's kinetic energy, or energy in motion, is greater than the electrons binding energy.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoNon-ionizing radiation involves a series of energetic waves composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that appear to travel at the speed of light.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agomobile/cell phones
microwaves radiation
and power lines
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoRadiation of "low energy",
generally taken as visible light and all lower frequencies (heat, radio).
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNon-ionizing radiation does not knock an electron out thus not ionizing matter.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoExamples of non-ionizing radiation include: * radio waves * microwaves * television transmissions * visible light * infrared radiation * extremely low frequency electric or magnetic waves
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Which type of radiation is most likely to damage DNA ionizing or nonionizing?
Ionizing
Which of the following is not a component of the radiation emitted by a radioactive sample a.alpha radiation b.delta radiation c.gamma radiation d.beta radiation?
Radioactive substances can emit alpha particles, gamma radiation (gamma rays) and beta radiation (beta particles). What they do not emit is delta radiation.It causes transmutation.It has a mass of 4 amus.
Which two types of radiation will pass through a sheet of card?
Gamma radiation
What kind of radiation causes molecules to vibrate?
Infrared Radiation.
Why only radioactive element give out radiation?
It's a semantic thing - by definition, if something gives out radiation, then it is radioactive. If an element gives off radiation, then it is a 'radioactive' element. If it does not give out radiation, then it is not 'radioactive'.
What has the author Howard E Clark written?
Howard E. Clark has written: 'Requirements for an effective national nonionizing radiation measurement system' -- subject(s): Measurement, Nonionizing radiation, Safety measures, Standards
Which type of radiation is most likely to damage DNA ionizing or nonionizing?
Ionizing
What has the author Norbert N Hankin written?
Norbert N. Hankin has written: 'Nonionizing radiation measurement capabilities' -- subject(s): Directories, Radiation, Measurement
What has the author H Moseley written?
H. Moseley has written: 'Non-ionising radiation' -- subject(s): Hospitals, Lasers, Microwaves, Nonionizing radiation, Physiological effect, Radiation, Non-Ionizing, Safety measures, Ultraviolet Rays
What is unique about receiving a dose of neutron radiation and an equivalent dose of other types of radiation either ionizing or nonionizing?
The neutron radiation can turn stable elements in your body to radioactive isotopes (called neutron activation). This makes you radioactive in a way that cannot be removed by any attempt at decontamination. No other type of radiation can do this.
How is a radio wave different than a gamma wave?
Radiowave is nonionizing while gamma ray is ionizing.
What is the danger of ionizing radiation?
Ionizing radiation has the ability to break chemical bonds and facilitate exotic chemical reactions within living cells. The damage caused to cells can vary, and can be at least partially repaired if given enough time. The organism thus exposed may experience one or more of several adverse effects including: * radiation burns * hair loss (temporary or permantent) * cancer * reproductive sterility * mutations in offspring Whether any of these effects is actually experienced depends on the amount of radiation exposure and on how long and how often it occured. Radiation burns and hair loss may be apparent within hours, days or weeks of exposure, depending on the radiation intensity. Cancer from radiation exposure generally requires 10 or more years after exposure to develop. Ionizing radiation can be in the forms of high energy particles or electromagnetic radiation. Particulate ionizing radiations are: * Alpha particles (which cannot penetrate a sheet of paper or the top layer of skin) * Beta particles (moderately penetrating, but unable to reach the body core from outside the body) * Neutrons (either high energy or thermal) Electromagnetic Ionizing radiations include: * X-rays and gamma rays * ultra-violet radiation (only very high energy photons)
What has the author John Ashton written?
John Ashton has written: 'Health in Mersey' 'Perils of progress' -- subject(s): Environmental Pollution, Environmental aspects, Environmental aspects of Hazardous substances, Environmental aspects of Technology, Environmental health, Food contamination, Hazardous substances, Health aspects, Health aspects of Hazardous substances, Health aspects of Technology, Health risk assessment, Nonionizing radiation, Popular works, Risk assessment, Technology
What affect does a solid nonionizing solute have on the freezing point of a solvent?
The addition of some solids can lower the freezing point of a liquid, a principle used when salt is applied to melt ice on frozen surfaces. (Britanicca Encyclopedia)
Is alpha radiation a ionization radiation?
Yes, alpha radiation is an ionizing radiation.
How does microwave radiation affect plant growth?
The term "radiation" covers a wide variety of types of energy, from the nonionizing radiations to the ionizing radiations. All the forms of radiation may have some effects on plants or seeds, good and bad. To answer your question thoroughly, we would need more information-like what type of radiation and how much. Nonionizing radiations include microwaves (heating effects), visible light, and UV (sunburn), not to mention the lower-energy forms like radiowaves. The ionizing radiations include x rays, gamma rays, beta and alpha particles, and neutrons.All seeds are exposed to natural radiation, as is everything in the world. So, a small amount of radiation would have no effect on the seeds or plants. The higher the dose (amount of radiation), the more of an effect you would expect. Ionizing radiation at high levels can cause inhibited sprouting and slow seedling growth and with increasing dose, reduced plant fertility and induced chromosome aberrations. But, these effects are only seen at very high doses.The Food and Drug Administration has approved irradiation of seeds for sprouting (like alfalfa sprouts) with doses up to 8 kGy (21 CFR 179 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission). Doses this high can kill microorganisms (pathogens like E. coli) on the sprouts without affecting the seeds or sprouts appreciably. This should reduce some cases of food poisoning that occur from eating the raw sprouts each year.Research has been going on for a number of years with ionizing radiation and plants, due to the space program. Will seeds survive and be able to grow if sent on space missions? How much shielding is needed to protect them? Questions like these are what scientists, both in the United States and Russia, have been studying for years. A resource for you to look at is The Effects of Over Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation on the Growth of Plants and Bacteria. Bruce Busby, CHP
What has the author M Grandolfo written?
M. Grandolfo has written: 'Einstein e il problema dell'universo' -- subject(s): History, Physics, Relativity (Physics) 'Biological Effects and Dosimetry of Nonionizing Radiation:Radiofrequency and Microwave Energies'
