Radiation transports energy away from a source through propagating fields or emitted particles. Electromagnetic radiation includes radio waves, visible light, X-rays and gamma rays; alpha particles, beta particles and neutrons provide particle-radiation examples. The word alone does not specify an energy, a hazard, or a detection method.
An experiment must distinguish the incident field from its interaction with the detector. A photodetector measures a light-induced response, while an ionization chamber collects charge created in a gas. Neither instrument responds equally to every kind of radiation. Ionizing radiation is classified by its ability to remove bound electrons under the relevant interaction conditions, rather than simply by whether the source is radioactive.
Radiation is the emission and transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or a material medium. It can occur in various forms, and it is generally categorized into two main types: 1. **Ionizing Radiation**: This type of radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions. It includes: - **Alpha Particles**: Helium nuclei emitted from radioactive materials.
New to topics? Read the docs here!