What is Ionizing radiation?
[[Image:Radioactive.svg|thumb|Ionising radiation hazard symbol]] [[File:Logo iso radiation.svg|thumb|right|2007 ISO [[radioactivity]] danger logo. This logo was designed in part for long-term [[radioactive waste]] depositories which might survive into a far future time in which all knowledge of the meaning of present common radiation danger symbols and signs will have been lost.]] '''Ionizing radiation''' is a process in [[physics]] where something sends out [[particle]]s or [[electromagnetic radiation|waves]] that can [[ion]]ize an [[atom]] or [[molecule]] through atomic interactions. The strength of ionizing radiation depends on the energy of the individual particles or waves, and not a function of the number of particles or waves present. The material that the radiation can ionize depends on the [[ionization energy]] of the material. [[Ionization|Ionizing]] radiation can be [[electromagnetic radiation]] or [[subatomic particle]]s. Electromagnetic: * [[Gamma ray]]s are electromagnetic waves of highest energy. * [[X-ray]]s are less energetic. * [[Ultraviolet]] radiation only ionizes some materials. Subatomic particle radiation includes: * [[Alpha particle]] radiation, made of [[helium]] [[nucleus (physics)|nuclei]] * [[Beta particle]] radiation, made of energetic [[electron]]s or [[positrons]] * Neutron radiation, made of [[neutron]]s Some radiation can go through the [[human body]] and other objects. Usually when people use the term radiation, they are talking specifically about potentially harmful types of ionizing radiation. If something produces this sort of radiation, it is said to be '''radioactive'''. There is a little radiation all around us all the time, which people's bodies are used to, but larger amounts of radiation can make people sick or kill them. Natural ionizing radiation is produced by [[radioactive decay]] of some [[chemical element]]s, such as [[uranium]]. [[Star]]s and other things in [[outer space]] also make radiation. ''See [[cosmic ray]]''. Some [[isotope]]s that are radioactive