8.

3 Ionising Radiation and Non-ionising Radiation

Ionising Radiation and Non-ionising Radiation

When a radiation such as radioactive radiation passes through air and produces positive and
negative ions, it is known as ionising radiation as shown in Figure 8.8.

The differences between Ionising Radiation and Non-ionising Radiation

Ionising radiation Non ionising radiation

High energy radiation which can Definition Low energy radiation in which it

ionize an atom upon colliding with does not emit particles from

it to emit more radiation. other materials.

High Energy Low

Can emit electrons or other Emissions Cannot emits particles from an

particles from atom when they atom; can only excite electrons

collide from a lower level to a higher

level upon encountering

Short Wavelength Long

High Frequency Low

Dangerous Harmfulness Less harful

Alfa, beta, gama, x -ray Examples UV, visible light, IR, microwave

and radio waves

Types Of Ionising Radiation

Differences between the three types of ionising radioactive radiations

Type of Alpha radiation, α Beta radiation, β Gamma ray, γ

radioactive radiation
Natural Helium nucleus High speed electron Electromagnetic
characteristic wave
Charge of particle Positive (+2) Negative (-1) Neutral (0)
Mass Relatively large Very small No mass
Speed Slow Fast Speed of light
Ionising power High Moderate Low
Penetration power Low Moderate High

Deflection by Negative plate Positive plate Neutral

electric
field

Deflection by upwards downwards straight

magnetic
field
Sources of Ionising Radiation in the Environment

Sources of ionising radiation

In the environment

Natural Man-made

Cosmic rays Background radiation Background radiation

Radioactive
High-energy radiation Made up of Radioisotope
wastes
produced outside the solar various types of
system or from another ionising radiation
galaxy (galactic cosmic rays) in the Nuclear Nuclear
environment. accidents tests For medical
purposes

plants absorb radioactive Cosmic rays

radioactive materials rocks and
from the soil soil

radioactive
radon gas

Unit of Dose Rate Measurement for Background Radiation

• Ionising radiation that is absorbed into the human body will damage body cells.
• The biological effect from ionising radiation on human body is measured in a quantity
known as dose.
• A dose of 1 Sv is equivalent to 1 joule of ionising radiation energy that is absorbed by
1 kilogram of living tissue.
• The unit of background radiation dose that is commonly used is microsievert/hour
(μsv/h).

Safe Background Radiation Dose in Daily Life

• Background radiation or ionising radiation dose of less than 0.2 μSv/h is the normal level
or safe level.
Estimation of dose rate of ionising radiation

Ionising radiation TV/computer: 0.01 msv/h

Flight 0.003 msv/h

Cosmic rays Outer space 0.35 msv/year

0.3 - 0.5
High altitude
msv/year
Estimation of dose
0.1 – 0.5
rate of ionising Food
msv/year
radiation

Building 1.5 msv/year

Radioactive
radiation
X-ray /medical
5.5 msv
test

Smoking 55 msv/cigarette

Background 0.4 – 1.0

Environment:
radiation msv/year

Risks from Exposure to Natural Ionising Radiation

Source of ionising radiation Safety measures

dose received
Background radiation Use appropriate protective equipment such as spectacles
fitted with anti-ultraviolet fi lm, anti-ultraviolet
umbrellas
and others
Taking X-ray X-ray taken with doctor’s prescription
Television Ensure the distance between the television and the
viewer is at least 2 m.
Food contaminated with Do not eat food produced in areas contaminated with
radioactive substances radioactive substances such as fish from the sea
contaminated with radioactive substances.
Cosmic rays Working hours of a pilot are limited to a certain period
of time because the pilot is exposed to cosmic rays.