Ionizing Radiation Flashcards
What is ionizing radiation?
Radiation that is capable of producing ions by removing or adding an electron to an atom.
What are the two groups for ionizing radiation?
- Particulate radiation
2. Electromagnetic radiation
What are particulate radiations?
Are tiny particles of matter that possess mass and travel in straight lines and at high speeds.
What are the 4 types of particulate radiations?
- Electrons can be classified as beta particles or cathode rays. They differ in origin only.
- Alpha particles are emitted from the nuclei of heavy metals and exist as two protons and neutrons, without electrons.
- Protons are accelerated particles, specifically hydrogen nuclei, with a mass of 1 and a charge of +1.
- Neutrons are accelerated particles with a mass of 1 and no electrical charge.
What are beta particles?
Are fast-moving electrons emitted from the nucleus of radioactive atoms.
What are cathode rays?
Are streams of high-speed electrons that originate in an x-ray tube.
What is an electromagnetic radiation?
The propagation of wavelike energy (without mass) through space or matter.
What two concepts does electromagnetic radiation move through space?
a particle and a wave
What does the particle concept characterize?
Characterizes electromagnetic radiations as discrete bundles of energy called photons or quanta.
What does the waveconcept characterize?
Characterizes electromagnetic radiations as waves and focuses on the properties of velocity, wavelength, and frequency.
What is velocity?
Refers to the speed of the wave.
What is wavelength?
The distance between the crest of one wave and the crest of the next.
What is frequency?
Refers to the number of wavelengths that pass a given point in a certain amount of time.
