Ionizing radiation refers to types of radiation that have enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, which can lead to the formation of ions. This kind of radiation can alter chemical bonds and poses health risks, such as the potential for causing cancer. The types of ionizing radiation include:
- Alpha particles: These are heavy, positively charged particles that can be emitted by certain radioactive materials.
- Beta particles: These are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive decay.
- Gamma rays: These are high-energy electromagnetic waves and are highly penetrating.
- X-rays: These are also high-energy electromagnetic radiation, typically used in medical imaging.
All these types of radiation can be considered ionizing radiation and can pose health risks if exposure is sufficiently high or prolonged.
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