Types of Radiation

PARTICULATE ELECTROMAGNETIC
Definition High energy subatomic particles
that produce ionization in matter
by direct atomic collisions.
Properties They are categorized using alpha
and beta particles. Alpha
particles have two protons and
two neutrons; they are emitted
from the nucleus of heavy metals
undergoing radioactive decay.
They have:
High mass
High energy
Positive charge
Short range in matter
Travel 5 cm
Beta particles are similar to alpha
particles and electrons in
different ways. They originate in
the nucleus as do alpha particles,
but they have a negative charge,
like electrons do. Their
properties include:
Low mass
High energy
Negative charge
Long range in matter
Travel 10-100 cm
Origination Originates in the nucleus of the
atoms when subatomic particles
(protons and neutrons) collide.
Energy that results from electric and
magnetic disturbances in space.
There are many different types of
electromagnetic radiation; there are
radio waves, microwaves, infrared
waves, ultraviolet light, X-ray and
gamma rays, different from
particulate radiation these
waveforms have the following in
common:
No mass
Pure energy of
pulsating/vibrating waves
Travels at the speed of light
Photons interact with atoms
Frequency, wavelength,
velocity, amplitude
Originates in the atom when
changes occur within the electrons.

Wave theory is the idea that electromagnetic energy travels in the form of sine waves through
space, as opposed to a particle interacting with matter; though it is possible for certain things to display
properties of both a wave and a particulate. The wave theory uses common units of measurement, the
wavelength, frequency, velocity/the speed of light. The formula depicting this relationship, the wave
equation is:

Velocity = frequency x wavelength (c = )

*c = the speed of light

Different wavelengths will produce a different type of electromagnetic energy. The shorter the
wavelength the more energy it will have, the longer the wavelength the less energy it will have.

As Adler & Carlton (2013) discuss, the fundamental properties of x-rays are:
 They are highly penetrating, invisible, electromagnetic forms of radiation
They are neutrally charged, unaffected by electric and magnetic fields
They are polyenergetic and heterogeneous
Releases small amounts of heat upon passing through matter
Travel in straight lines
Travel at the speed of light in a vacuum
Can ionize matter
Causes the emission of light in certain crystals
Cannot be focused by a lens
Affect photographic film
They produce chemical and biological changes in matter through ionization and
excitation
They produce secondary and scatter radiation