Important Types Of Radiation

Radiation is a type of energy that originates from a source and flows through matter or space. Radiation includes both light and heat. Ionizing radiation is the type of radiation described on this site because it has enough energy to take an electron from an atom, turning it into an ion.

Types of Radiation

There are various types of radiation, each with its own set of features and effects.

• Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
• Electromagnetic spectrum
• Types of ionizing radiation

Non-Ionizing and Ionizing Radiation

Radiation is classified into two types: non-ionizing radiation and ionising radiation.

Non-ionizing radiation has enough energy to move or vibrate atoms in a molecule, but not enough to remove electrons from atoms. Radio waves, visible light, and microwaves are examples of this type of radiation.

Ionizing radiation is so powerful that it may knock electrons from atoms, a process known as ionisation. Ionizing radiation can impact the atoms in living things, posing a health concern by causing tissue and DNA in genes to be damaged. Ionizing radiation is produced by x-ray equipment, cosmic rays from space, and radioactive materials. Ionizing radiation is emitted by radioactive elements as their atoms decay.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

• In nature, there is a wide variety of electromagnetic radiation. One example is visible light.
• Ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays are examples of the highest-energy radiation.
• When X-rays and gamma rays interact with atoms, they have enough energy to remove electrons, causing the atom to become ionised.

Types of Ionizing radiation

Alpha Radiation

Alpha radiation is a heavy, short-range particle that is created when a helium nucleus is expelled. The following are some of the features of alpha radiation:

• The majority of alpha radiation does not penetrate human skin.
• If inhaled, eaten, or absorbed through open wounds, alpha-emitting materials can be dangerous to people.
• To monitor alpha radiation, a number of instruments have been developed. For reliable measurements, special training in the operation of these instruments is required.
• The presence of alpha radiation can be detected using a Geiger-Mueller (GM) probe with a thin window.
• Because alpha radiation is not penetrating, instruments cannot detect it through even a small coating of water, dust, paper, or other material.
• Although alpha radiation only goes a small distance (a few inches) in air, it poses no external threat.
• Clothing does not allow alpha radiation to get through.
• Radium, radon, uranium, and thorium are examples of alpha emitters.

Beta Radiation

Beta radiation is a short-range, light particle that is created when an electron is expelled. The following are some characteristics of beta radiation:

• Beta radiation is moderately penetrating and can travel many feet in the air.
• The “germinal layer,” where new skin cells are formed, can be penetrated by beta radiation. Skin damage can occur if large quantities of beta-emitting pollutants are permitted to remain on the skin for an extended period of time.
• If beta-emitting pollutants are accumulated internally, they can be hazardous.
• A survey equipment and a thin-window GM probe can discover most beta emitters (e.g., “pancake” type). However, certain beta emitters generate low-energy, poorly penetrating radiation that is difficult or impossible to detect. Hydrogen-3 (tritium), carbon-14, and sulfur-35 are examples of these difficult-to-detect beta emitters.
• Clothing can help shield you from beta radiation.
• Strontium-90, carbon-14, tritium, and sulfur-35 are examples of pure beta emitters.

Gamma and X- Radiation

X-rays and gamma radiation are both extremely penetrating electromagnetic radiation. These radiations have the following characteristics:

• Gamma radiation, often known as x rays, may travel hundreds of feet in the air and several inches into human flesh. They are commonly referred to as “penetrating” radiation since they can easily permeate most things.
• X-rays are similar to gamma rays. X-rays are also a type of penetrating radiation. Humans are mostly at risk from sealed radioactive sources and machines that release gamma radiation and x rays, respectively.
• Electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, radio waves, and ultraviolet light, includes gamma and x rays. The sole difference between these electromagnetic radiations is the quantity of energy they contain. The most energetic of them are gamma and x rays.
• Shielding from gamma radiation necessitates dense materials. Clothing offers minimal protection against penetrating radiation, although it does protect the skin from gamma-emitting radioactive elements.
• Survey metres with a sodium iodide detector probe can easily detect gamma radiation.
• During radioactive decay, gamma and/or distinctive x rays commonly accompany the emission of alpha and beta radiation.
• Iodine-131, cesium-137, cobalt-60, radium-226, and technetium-99m are examples of gamma emitters.

Conclusion

Radiation is energy that originates from a source and travels at the speed of light through space. This energy is coupled with an electric field and a magnetic field, and it has wave-like qualities. Radiation is sometimes known as “electromagnetic waves.”

Radiation travels in the form of energy waves or energetic particles from its source. There are various types of radiation, each with its own set of features and effects.