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| - Ionizing radiation is a form of Radiation consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, thus ionizing them. The Shrine of Talus emitted a form of ionizing radiation that affected the Second Childhood parasite. (SGA: "The Shrine")
- Ionizing radiation is a form of radiation which carries sufficient energy to ionize an atom or molecule. It can be both natural or artificially generated. Ionizing radiation had the ability to interfere with a starship's sensors. In 2370, Geordi La Forge suggested that the asteroid containing the USS Pegasus be blanketed in ionizing radiation, which also was found naturally in the same area, in order to prevent its discovery by Romulans. (TNG: "The Pegasus" )
- Ionizing radiation consists of particles or electromagnetic waves energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, thus ionizing them. The degree and nature of such ionization depends on the energy of the individual particles or waves, and not on their number. An intense flood of particles or waves will not cause ionization if these particles or waves do not carry enough energy to be ionizing. Roughly speaking, particles or photons with energies above a few electron volts (eV) are ionizing. Ionization produces free radicals, which are atoms or molecules containing unpaired electrons, that tend to be especially chemically reactive due to their electronic structure. Fig 1. -- Alpha (α) radiation consists of a fast moving helium-4 (4He) nucleus and is stopped by a sheet of paper.
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| abstract
| - Ionizing radiation is a form of Radiation consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, thus ionizing them. The Shrine of Talus emitted a form of ionizing radiation that affected the Second Childhood parasite. (SGA: "The Shrine")
- Ionizing radiation is a form of radiation which carries sufficient energy to ionize an atom or molecule. It can be both natural or artificially generated. Ionizing radiation had the ability to interfere with a starship's sensors. In 2370, Geordi La Forge suggested that the asteroid containing the USS Pegasus be blanketed in ionizing radiation, which also was found naturally in the same area, in order to prevent its discovery by Romulans. (TNG: "The Pegasus" ) When Geordi La Forge was investigating the mysterious disappearances of his former crewmates from the USS Victory on Tarchannen III in 2367, he performed a screen for ionizing radiation, without success. (TNG: "Identity Crisis" )
- Ionizing radiation consists of particles or electromagnetic waves energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, thus ionizing them. The degree and nature of such ionization depends on the energy of the individual particles or waves, and not on their number. An intense flood of particles or waves will not cause ionization if these particles or waves do not carry enough energy to be ionizing. Roughly speaking, particles or photons with energies above a few electron volts (eV) are ionizing. Ionization produces free radicals, which are atoms or molecules containing unpaired electrons, that tend to be especially chemically reactive due to their electronic structure. Fig 1. -- Alpha (α) radiation consists of a fast moving helium-4 (4He) nucleus and is stopped by a sheet of paper. Beta (β) radiation, consisting of electrons, is halted by an aluminum plate. Gamma (γ) radiation, consisting of energetic photons, is eventually absorbed as it penetrates a dense material such as brick walls. Neutron (n) radiation consists of free neutrons which are blocked using light elements, like hydrogen, which slow and/or capture them. Examples of ionizing particles are alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, and cosmic rays. The ability of an electromagnetic wave (photons) to ionize an atom or molecule depends on its frequency. Radiation on the short-wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum—high frequency ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays—is ionizing. Lower-energy radiation, such as visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves, are not ionizing. The latter types of lower energy electromagnetic radiation may damage molecules, but the effect is generally indistinquishable from the effects of simple heating. Such heating does not produce free radicals until higher temperatures (for example, flame temperatures or "browning" temperatures, and above) are attained. In contrast, damage done by ionizing radiation produces free radicals, even at room temperatures and below, and production of such free radicals is the reason these and other ionizing radiations produce quite different types of chemical effects from (low-temperature) heating. Free radical production is also a primary basis for the particular danger to biological systems of relatively small amounts of ionizing radiation that are far smaller than needed to produce significant heating. Free radicals easily damage DNA, and ionizing radiation may also directly damage DNA by ionizing or breaking DNA molecules. Ionizing radiation is ubiquitous in the environment, and also comes from radioactive materials, x-ray tubes, and particle accelerators. It is invisible and not directly detectable by human senses, so instruments such as Geiger counters are usually required to detect its presence. In some cases it may lead to secondary emission of visible light upon interaction with matter, as in Cherenkov radiation and radioluminescence. It has many practical uses in medicine, research, construction, and other areas, but presents a health hazard if used improperly. Exposure to radiation causes damage to living tissue, and high doses can result in mutation, radiation sickness, cancer, and death.
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