How Does Radiation Occur?

Table of Contents

Radiation can be interpreted as the energy emitted in the form of particles or waves. If a core is unstable, the core has excess energy. The nucleus cannot survive, one day the core will release the excess energy and may release one or two or more particles or waves at once.

Every unstable core will emit different energy or radiation particles. In most cases, the nucleus releases electromagnetic energy called gamma radiation, which in many ways is similar to X-rays. Gamma radiation moves straight and can penetrate most of the material it passes. In many cases, the nucleus also releases beta radiation. Beta radiation is easier to stop. Zinc roof or window glass can stop beta radiation. Even the clothes we use can protect from beta radiation. Certain elements, especially heavy ones such as uranium, radium and plutonium, release alpha radiation. Alpha radiation can be completely blocked by a piece of paper. Alpha radiation cannot penetrate our skin. Alpha radiation is very dangerous only if the ingredients that release alpha radiation enter our body.

X-rays are the type of radiation that is most commonly found in daily activities. All X-rays on this earth are made by humans using high-voltage electrical equipment. The x-ray generator can be turned on and off. If the high voltage is turned off, there will be no more radiation. X-rays can penetrate materials, such as body tissues, water, wood or iron, because X-rays have very short wavelengths. X-rays can only be effectively held by materials that have high density, such as lead (Pb) or thick concrete.

Gamma radiation has properties similar to X-rays, but gamma radiation comes from the atomic nucleus. Because it comes from an atomic nucleus, gamma radiation will radiate continuously, and cannot be turned on or off like an X-ray. Gamma radiation found in nature mainly comes from natural radioactive materials, such as radium or radioactive potassium. Some atomic nuclei that can emit gamma radiation can also be made by humans.

Some elements, such as iron or oxygen, can have several nuclei that are almost the same, called isotopes. If an isotope can emit radiation, it is called radioisotope. Radioisotopes are often referred to as radionuclides. The difference between one isotope and another isotope is usually expressed as a number. For example, potassium-39 and potassium-40 are the isotopes of the element potassium.

Radiation from radioactive material cannot be turned off or destroyed. Radiation will only decrease naturally. As a result of emitting radiation, radioactive material will weaken its activity (strength), called decay.

Also, if a radioactive material emits radiation, the radioactive material can turn into another material. This other material can be unstable (can still emit radiation again), and can also be stable (no longer emitting radiation).

Each radioisotope will be reduced or weakened by half of its initial activity over a time, which varies from a few seconds to billions of years, depending on the type of radioisotope. The specified period is called a half-life. For example, age-Paro radium is 1,622 years; that is to say, radium activity will decrease by half in 1,622 years, half the remaining activity will decrease again in the next 1,622 years, and so on.