Radiation

Definition:

A stream of atomic or
subatomic particles
that may be charged
positively (alpha
particles) or
negatively (beta
particles) or not at all
(neutrons.)
ELECTROMAGNETIC Is created by electrical
and magnetic
disturbances in space.
PARTICULATE

Wave Theory

Half-life

Properties:

Originate:

Wave Theory:

-Intensity varies with distance.

-Can ionize matter.
-Can affect the matter it travels
through/interacts with (burn skin,
causes chemical changes in cells.
-Mass

-Gamma
-Partials
-Neutrons

Does not travel as a

wave but as particles
(has mass) released
from unstable matter.

-Outer space
-In the atom
-X-rays man
made

Radio waves,
microwaves, infra-red
light, visible light,
UV, x-ray, and gamma
rays.

-The electric & magnetic fields that

make up the photon travels at right
angles too other.
-Exit at the speed of light or not at
all.
-Photon energy directly proportional
to photon frequency (constant of
proportionality)
-Photon energy inversely
proportional to photon wavelength.
-No mass
Electromagnetic
-Are highly penetrating, invisible
energy travels through rays that are a form of
space in the form of
electromagnetic radiation.
waves. Waves are
-Are electrically neutral and
disturbances in a
therefore not affected by either
medium.
electric of magnetic fields.
The time taken for the
radioactivity of
specified isotope to
fall to half of its
original value.

-Wavelengths
-Amplitude
-Frequency
-Period

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Radiation:

Definition:

Properties:

Radio Waves

An electromagnetic wave
having a wavelength between
1 millimeter and 30,000
meters, or a frequency between
10 kilohertz and 300,000
megahertz. (Dictionary.com,
2016)

Microwaves

An electromagnetic wave of
extremely high frequency, 1
GH 3 or more, and having
wavelengths of from 1 mm to
30 cm. (Dictionary.com,
microwave, 2016)

Infrared red light

Electromagnetic radiation with

wavelengths longer than
visible light but shorter than
radio waves.
(thefreedictionary, 2016)

-The electric & magnetic fields Atom

that make up the photon travels
at right angles too other.
-Exit at the speed of light or
not at all.
-Photon energy directly
proportional to photon
frequency (constant of
proportionality)
-Photon energy inversely
proportional to photon
wavelength.
-The electric & magnetic fields Atom
that make up the photon travels
at right angles too other.
-Exit at the speed of light or
not at all.
-Photon energy directly
proportional to photon
frequency (constant of
proportionality)
-Photon energy inversely
proportional to photon
wavelength.
-The electric & magnetic fields Atom
that make up the photon travels
at right angles too other.
-Exit at the speed of light or
not at all.
-Photon energy directly
proportional to photon

Originates:

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Visible light

Ultraviolet

X-rays

Visible light is a form of

electromagnetic (EM)
radiation, as are radio waves,
infrared radiation, ultraviolet
radiation, X-rays and
microwaves. Generally, visible
light is defined as the
wavelengths that are visible to
most human eyes. ... This
broad range of wavelengths is
known as the electromagnetic
spectrum. (Lucas, 2015)
Is the part of the
electromagnetic spectrum
where wavelengths are just
shorter than those of ordinary,
visible violet light but longer
than those of x-rays.
(dictionary.com, 2016)

-A form of electromagnetic
radiation, like light but of
shorter wavelength and

frequency (constant of
proportionality)
-Photon energy inversely
proportional to photon
wavelength.
-The electric & magnetic fields Atom
that make up the photon travels
at right angles too other.
-Exit at the speed of light or
not at all.
-Photon energy directly
proportional to photon
frequency (constant of
proportionality)
-Photon energy inversely
proportional to photon
wavelength.
-The electric & magnetic fields Atom
that make up the photon travels
at right angles too other.
-Exit at the speed of light or
not at all.
-Photon energy directly
proportional to photon
frequency (constant of
proportionality)
-Photon energy inversely
proportional to photon
wavelength.
-The electric & magnetic fields Man-made
that make up the photon travels
at right angles too other.

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capable of penetrating solids

and of ionizing gases.
-Radiation having
wavelengths in the range of
approximately 0.110 nm.
(dictionary.com, X-ray, 2016)

Gamma rays

Light with the shortest

wavelengths and the highest
energies and frequencies in the
electromagnetic spectrum.
(Space, 2016)

-Exit at the speed of light or

not at all.
-Photon energy directly
proportional to photon
frequency (constant of
proportionality)
-Photon energy inversely
proportional to photon
wavelength.
-Intensity varies with distance.
-Can ionize matter.
-Can affect the matter it travels
through/interacts with (burn
skin, causes chemical changes
in cells.

Outer space/Atom

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Fundamental properties of x-rays:

1. Are highly penetrating, invisible rays that are a form of electromagnetic radiation.
2. Are electrically neutral and therefore not affected by either electric of magnetic fields.
3. Can be produced over a wide variety of energies and wavelengths (polyenergetic and heterogeneous.)
4. Release very small amounts of heat upon passing through matter.
5. Travel at the speed of light.
6. Travel at the speed of light, 3x10^8 meters per second in a vacuum.
7. Can ionize matter.
8. Cause fluorescence (the emission of light) of certain crystals.
9. Cannot be focused by a lens.
10. Affect photographic film.
11. Produce chemical and biological changes in matter through ionization and excitation.
12. Produce secondary and scatter radiation.

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References
Dan L. Hobbs, M. R. (2007). Chest Radiography for Radiologic Technologists. Radiologic Technology, 78/No.6, 494-516.
Dictionary.com. (2016). microwave. microwave, 1. Retrieved from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/microwave
Dictionary.com. (2016). radio wave. radio wave, 1. Retrieved from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/radio-wave
dictionary.com. (2016). ultraviolet. ultraviolet, 1. Retrieved from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ultraviolet-radiation
dictionary.com. (2016). X-ray. X-ray, 1. Retrieved from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/x-ray
Lucas, J. (2015). What Is Visible Light? Live Science, 1. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/50678-visible-light.html
Space, A. (2016). Gamma rays. Gamma rays , 1. Retrieved from
http://amazingspace.org/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/glossary/term-full.php?t=gamma_rays
thefreedictionary. (2016). infrared light. infrared light, 1. Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/infrared+light

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