Basic information
Ionizing radiation – what is it? What exactly is ionizing radiation, where does it occur, and how can it affect me? Three videos provide answers to these questions and explain the basics of ionizing radiation.
What is ionizing radiation?
Radiation is the transport of energy. Ionizing radiation is much more energetic than thermal radiation or visible light. It can change matter. This is called ionization. Electrons are knocked out of the shells of atoms. The atoms are now charged and are called ions.
Where does ionizing radiation come from and where is it used?
Ionizing radiation can be of natural or artificial origin. Naturally occurring ionizing radiation comes from space or from the decay of natural radioactive substances in the environment, such as soil and rock. Artificially generated ionizing radiation is used in X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans.
How can ionizing radiation affect me?
Ionizing radiation can affect the human body in various ways. When ionizing radiation affects us from outside, it is called external radiation. When a surface is contaminated by radioactive substances, it is called contamination, and when radioactive substances are absorbed into the body, it is called incorporation.