Question

Ionizing radiation is:
A) Radiation that only interacts with ions.
B) The same as a proton.
C) A neutron that has acquired a charge, thus forming an ion.
D) High energy radiation that removes electrons from atoms or molecules.

Answer 1

Hint: The energy that travels from space to earth is known as radiation. The most abundant source of radiation is the sun. Two types of radiations are there. Let us discuss it one by one.

Complete answer:
There are two types of radiations: Ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation.
The radiation that can easily remove electrons from the valence orbital of an atom is known as the ionizing radiation. Thus, ionizing radiation converts a neutral atom to a positively charged ion.
Ionizing radiation is characterized by unstable atoms. The unstable atoms release energy in the form of ionizing radiation and regain stability. The emitted radiation contains excess energy or mass or both.
There are four types of ionizing radiation: alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays and x-rays.
- Alpha rays: Alpha rays are emitted during radioactive decay. They have two protons and two neutrons.
- Beta rays: Beta rays are electrons or positrons with high energy.
- Gamma rays: Gamma rays are emitted from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay.
- X-rays: X-rays are produced when the nucleus is hit by external electrons.
Thus, ionizing radiation is high energy radiation that removes electrons from atoms or molecules.

Thus, the correct option is (D) high energy radiation that removes electrons from atoms or molecules.

Note: The radiations that do not cause ionization of atoms is known as non-ionizing radiation. There are three types of non-ionizing radiations:
> UV rays: UV rays cause tanning and are a source of UV rays.
> Visible light: Violet light has the shortest wavelength and red light has the longest wavelength.
> Black body radiation.
> Radio waves.
> Infrared radiation.
> Thermal radiation.