06+IONISING+RADIATION


 * IONIZING RADIATION**
 * Ionizing (or ionising) radiation consists of __particles__ that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, therefore ionizing them. Direct ionization from the effects of single particles or single photons produces free radicals, which are atoms or molecules containing unpaired electrons, that tend to be especially chemically reactive due to their electronic structure. **

=== Ionising radiation can be in the form of a particle, or as electromagnetic radiation (waves), and each form behaves differently only electromagnetic radiation at the shortest wavelengths, specifically X-rays or gamma rays, can be ionising. ===
 * The radiations from radioactive materials – //alpha//, //beta// and //gamma// radiation – are all ionising radiations which can damage living cells . **

Alpha radiation is stopped by paper. Beta radiation goes through paper but is stopped by thn metal. Gamma radiation goes through papaer and thin metal but is stopped by concrete and thick lead.
 * Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy so that during an interaction with an atom, it can remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, causing the atom to become charged or ionized. **

==‍ Charged particles such as __electrons, positrons, muons, protons, alpha particles, and heavy atomic nuclei__ from accelerators or cosmic rays also interact electromagnetically with electrons of an atom or molecule. Muons contribute to background radiation due to cosmic rays, but by themelves are thought to be of little hazard importance due to their relatively low dose. __Pions__ (another very short-lived sometimes-charged particle) may be produced in large amounts in the largest particle accelerators. Pions are not a theoretical biological hazard except near such operating machines, which are then subject to heavy security ==