The wavelength is less than 100nm, including the radiation of cosmic rays, x-rays and radioactive substances. Ionizing radiation is characterized by short wavelength, high frequency and high energy. Ionizing radiation can release one or several electrons from atoms, molecules or other bound States. Ionizing radiation is the general name of all radiation that can cause ionization of substances, and there are many kinds. High-speed charged particles include alpha particles, beta particles and protons, while uncharged particles include neutrons, X-rays and gamma rays.
If radiation does not have enough ionization energy, a large amount of radiation cannot cause ionization of the affected objects. The full name of ionizing radiation is ionizing radiation, that is, the radiation of atoms and molecules that can directly or indirectly ionize substances through interaction with substances.
Principle of ionizing radiation
Alpha rays are a stream of charged particles, which are easily ionized wherever they go. Alpha-rays have strong ionization ability, which can be used, but it will also bring some harm and have great destructive ability to human tissues. Because of its large mass and poor penetration ability, its range in the air is only a few centimeters, which can be blocked by a piece of paper or healthy skin.
β -ray is also a kind of high-speed charged particle, its ionization power is much less than α-ray, but its penetration power is greater than α-ray, but its range with X and γ-ray is shorter than β-ray, so it is easily absorbed by aluminum foil, plexiglass and other materials.
X-rays and gamma rays are basically the same in essence, both are electromagnetic waves, and there is no wavelength of radio waves. They have strong penetrating power, so special attention should be paid to prevent accidental irradiation.
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