Types of Radiation
X rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles are ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has a lot of energy that gives it the ability to cause changes in atoms—a process called ionization. Radio and TV signals, microwaves, and laser light are nonionizing types of radiation. Nonionizing radiation has less energy than ionizing radiation.
Naturally Occurring Radiation
Naturally Occurring Radiation. Naturally occurring radiation can be found all around us. Radiation can be found in soils, in our air and water, and in us. Because it occurs in our natural environment, we encounter it every day through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. It is also in building materials and items we ...
Types of Emissions - Radiation Answers
The information we are providing discusses only the four most common types: alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and x rays. Alpha Particles Alpha particles are a type of radiation that do not travel very far, do not pass through anything very thick, and can generally be absorbed or stopped by an inch or less (1-2 centimeters) of air or ...
Non-ionizing Radiation Effects and Information
Nonionizing Radiation. We use and are exposed to nonionizing radiation sources every day. Microwave ovens use microwaves to heat food, toasters use infrared waves to heat and sometimes burn our toast, and we watch television, talk on cell phones, and listen to the radio through the use of radio waves. These are all nonionizing forms of radiation.
Power Generation from Radiation
Historically, there have been two main types of reactors—pressurized water reactors (PWR) and boiling water reactors (BWR). Both types use radioactivity (slightly enriched uranium-235 being the most critical) to heat water that will generate steam to turn a turbine that runs a generator, sending the electricity out to the public.
Sources & Uses of Radiation
Many uses of radiation help to ensure the high quality and safety of our daily lives. Smoke detectors to warn us of fire, x-ray machines to detect weapons or other devices in luggage and cargo, and certain types of imaging to look for diseases are all application of radiation for the benefit of society.
Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing Radiation. Much of the information included on this site is about ionizing radiation. This is the type of radiation that has enough energy to change atoms in tissues. This is the radiation of chest x rays or nuclear power plant fuel. We take advantage of the properties of ionizing radiation to produce high-quality images of the inside ...
Medical Uses for Radiation
Medical exams involving radiation are considered beneficial to the individual. This is where you can take an active role. It is important that you know what the exam is, what it is for, and how the results will be important to what is needed for you medically.
Common Radiation Doses
Effective Dose Radiation Source; Less than (<) or equal to (=) 0.1 mSv: annual dose living at nuclear power plant perimeter
Effects of Radiation
Radiation specialists use the unit “rem ” (or sievert) to describe the amount of radiation dose someone received. We are going to use that unit throughout the sections. Without getting into technical specifics about that unit, it is enough to know that it indicates a measure of how much radiation energy is absorbed in our body.