High-energy waves that can strip electrons from atoms, potentially causing DNA damage.
, more commonly referred to as electromagnetic radiation , consists of energy waves rather than physical particles. Unlike particulate radiation (such as alpha or beta particles, which have mass), nonparticulate radiation is composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that travel at the speed of light. Key Characteristics nonparticulate radiation
Because it has no mass, certain forms (like gamma rays) can penetrate much more deeply into materials than particulate radiation. The Electromagnetic Spectrum High-energy waves that can strip electrons from atoms,
Responsible for sunburns and used in sterilization. Key Characteristics Because it has no mass, certain
Lower-energy waves that lack the power to ionize atoms but can cause thermal effects.
Nonparticulate radiation spans a wide range of energies, categorized by their wavelength and frequency:
Nonparticulate radiation lacks mass and charge, existing purely as "packets" of energy called photons.