Types of Radiation

By Sierra Meyers and Lindsey Shriner

Particulate Radiation

What is it?

Fast moving particles with both

energy and mass. Created from
disintegration of an unstable atom.

Can ionize matter and affect

physical objects it flows through.
Intensity varies with distance
(inverse square law).
Alpha and beta particles are
result of this type of radiation.

Electromagnetic Radiation

What is it?

Energy that acts like a wave and does not have mass. Produced by a vibrating electric and
magnetic charges through space.
Exists apart from matter and can travel through a vacuum.

Energy that acts like a steady wave or a stream of photons.

Travels straight at the speed of light (3.8 x 10^8 m/s)
Light waves, radio waves, microwaves, x-rays, and gamma rays are all forms
of EM radiation.
All waves are governed by the same universal laws but their different
wavelengths (energies) affect and interact with matter differently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOJv47k6tYI

Wave Theory

Electromagnetic energy travels through space as a wave.

They are disturbances in a medium such as ocean waves are a disturbance
of water and sound waves are a disturbance of air.
Electromagnetic waves are unique because they require no medium, they
can travel in a vacuum.
They travel in the form of sine waves.
The frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional.

Fundamental Properties of X-rays

Highly penetrating as it interacts/travels through matter.

Has frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and velocity.

Only electromagnetic radiation that can cause ionization.

Travels in a straight path as it leaves tube but can produce scatter radiation.

High energy so it has more characteristics of particles than of waves.

Refrences

Aldenhyde, A. (producer). (2010, December 11), Youtube. What is

Electromagnetic Radiation? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOJv47k6tYI
Carlton, R. R., & Adler, A. M. (1996). Principles of radiographic imaging: An art
and a science (2nd ed.). Albany, N.Y.: Delmar Publishers.
http://slideplayer.com/slide/2382460/
http://slideplayer.com/slide/8439987/