Ionising Radiation
Physics: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 5.4.6
Ions and Ionising Radiation
Alpha, beta and gamma radiation are all ionising radiation. Ionising radiation can break molecules into small particles called ions.
Ions are charged particles
- Ions are particles that become charged by gaining or losing electrons.
Ions can cause cell damage
- Ions can react in unusual ways.
- This can damage cells and complex chemical structures, such as DNA.
- The cell damage from ionising radiation can cause mutations. These mutations can lead to cancer.