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What is ionizing radiation, and why is it harmful? Give at least one example.

User Webclimber
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Answer:

onizing radiation is a type of radiation that can break molecules into ions. These ions can disrupt the natural chemical reactions in the body and damage living cells. Examples of ionizing radiation include ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight, X-rays used in medical imaging, and gamma rays produced by radioactive materials.

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User Chris Pushbullet
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Answer:

Ionizing radiation is radiation, traveling as a particle or electromagnetic wave, that carries sufficient energy to detach electrons from atoms or molecules, thereby ionizing them. When the dose is high enough, ionizing radiation causes two types of harm to humans: direct tissue damage and cancer. Direct tissue damage happens when enough molecules are broken apart that the cells simply can no longer function. This can lead to radiation burns, radiation sickness, organ failure, etc.

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User Amitava
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