Puricare Industrial Enterprises: NUCLEAR RADIATION - Nuclear radiation refers to the particles and photons emitted during reactions that involve the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear radiation is also known as ionizing radiation or ionising radiation. The particles emitted by nuclear reactions are sufficiently energetic that they can remove electrons from atoms and molecules and ionize them. Nuclear radiation includes gamma rays, x-rays, and the more energetic portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Ionizing subatomic particles released by nuclear reactions include alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, muons, mesons, positrons, and cosmic rays. During the fission of U-235 the nuclear radiation that is released contains neutrons and gamma ray photons. Radiation and radioactivity are two easily confused concepts. Just remember, a substance does not need to be radioactive to emit radiation. Radiation is the emission and propagation of energy in the form of waves, rays or particles. Radiation includes emanation of any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, plus it includes the release of particles. Examples include: A burning candle emits radiation in the form of heat and light. The Sun emits radiation in the form of light, heat, and particles. Uranium-238 decaying into Thorium-234 emits radiation in the form of alpha particles. Electrons dropping from one energy state to a lower state emit radiation in the form of a photon.

Nuclear radiation may refer to light, heat, or energetic particles emitted by nuclear decay, fission, or fusion.

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Nuclear Radiation Definition

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Nuclear radiation refers to the particles and photons emitted during reactions that involve the nucleus of an atom.

Nuclear radiation is also known as ionizing radiation or ionising radiation (depending on the country).

The particles emitted by nuclear reactions are sufficiently energetic that they can remove electrons from atoms and molecules and ionize them.

Nuclear radiation includes gamma rays, x-rays, and the more energetic portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Ionizing subatomic particles released by nuclear reactions include alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, muons, mesons, positrons, and cosmic rays.

Nuclear Radiation Example

During the fission of U-235 the nuclear radiation that is released contains neutrons and gamma ray photons.

Radiation and radioactivity are two easily confused concepts. Just remember, a substance does not need to be radioactive to emit radiation.

Let's look at the definition of radiation and see how it differs from radioactivity.

Radiation Definition

Radiation is the emission and propagation of energy in the form of waves, rays or particles. There are three main types of radiation:

· Non-ionizing radiation: This is the release of energy from the lower-energy region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Sources of non-ionizing radiation include light, radio, microwaves, infrared (heat), and ultraviolet light.

· Ionizing radiation: This is radiation with sufficient energy to remove an electron from an atomic orbital, forming an ion. Ionizing radiation includes x-ray, gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles.

· Neutrons: Neutrons are particles found in the atomic nucleus. When they break away from the nucleus, they have energy and act as radiation.

Examples of Radiation

Radiation includes emanation of any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, plus it includes the release of particles. Examples include:

· A burning candle emits radiation in the form of heat and light.

· The Sun emits radiation in the form of light, heat, and particles.

· Uranium-238 decaying into Thorium-234 emits radiation in the form of alpha particles.

· Electrons dropping from one energy state to a lower state emit radiation in the form of a photon.

Difference Between Radiation and Radioactivity

Radiation is the release of energy, whether it takes the form of waves or particles.

Radioactivity refers to the decay or splitting of an atomic nucleus. A radioactive material releases radiation when it decays.

Examples of decay include alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay, neutron release, and spontaneous fission.

All radioactive isotopes release radiation, but not all radiation comes from radioactivity.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

Education

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Introduction

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor.

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

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https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-nuclear-radiation-605423

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