Final answer:
Ionizing radiation causes ionization in materials by knocking out electrons from atoms and molecules, which can result in significant changes to the material's chemical and physical properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ionization of irradiated material is caused by interactions with ionizing radiation, which includes forms such as alpha particles (α), beta particles (β), and gamma rays (γ). Ionizing radiation has enough energy to ionize atoms and molecules in a material by knocking out electrons, thereby creating ions. This interaction is crucial in understanding the effects of radiation on biological tissues, electronic devices, and methods for radiation detection, like personal radiation monitors.
Although the interaction between ionizing radiation and matter is not always 100% efficient, when it does happen, it can cause damage by breaking chemical bonds or creating ions—changes that can have significant effects depending on the radiation's type, energy, and the exposed material's chemical nature.
When considering the ionizing power of radiation, it is the potential for radiation particles to cause ionization upon interacting with atoms that matters. This process is influenced by several factors, including the type and energy of the radiation, as well as the density of the interactions with the material.