nuclear radiation
Invisible atomic energy
Nuclear radiation is energy or particles emitted from unstable atomic nuclei as they decay.
The three main types—alpha, beta, and gamma—differ in penetrating power and biological effect.
Nuclear radiation can be harnessed for power generation and medical imaging, but exposure at high levels damages living tissue: The workers were tested for nuclear radiation exposure.
Often shortened to just radiation in context.
Atomic number twins
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- neutronsUncharged subatomic particles
half-life · radioactive decay · fission · fusion · ionizing · electromagnetic spectrum · photons · cosmic rays
Introduction of impurities
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- ChernobylSoviet nuclear disaster site
- FukushimaJapanese nuclear accident site
Three Mile Island · exposure · carcinogen · mutagenic · toxicity · cancer · leukemia · thyroid cancer
Controlled fission apparatus
- power plantFacility producing electrical energy
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- fuel rodsEncased fissile material tubes
chain reaction · electricity generation · cooling tower · turbine · megawatt · enrichment · spent fuel · breeder reactor
Medical radiation for cancer
- oncologyCancer medicine specialty
- brachytherapyLocalized implanted radiation oncology
- radioisotopeUnstable atomic nucleus variant
- cobalt-60Radioactive isotope for therapy
iodine-131 · PET scan · dosimetry · gamma knife · linear accelerator · radiology · diagnostic imaging · tracer
Protecting from harm
- lead apronProtective garment blocking X-rays
- hazmat suitSealed garment blocking toxins
- dosimeterExposure measurement device
- Geiger counterIonizing radiation detector
decontamination · evacuation · containment · safety protocols · protective clothing · iodine tablets · bunker · fallout shelter
isotopes
Atomic number twins
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
neutrons · half-life · radioactive decay · fission · fusion · ionizing · electromagnetic spectrum · photons · cosmic rays · gray
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- ChernobylSoviet nuclear disaster site
Fukushima · Three Mile Island · exposure · carcinogen · mutagenic · toxicity · cancer · leukemia · thyroid cancer · birth defects
reactor
Controlled fission apparatus
- power plantFacility producing electrical energy
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
fuel rods · chain reaction · electricity generation · cooling tower · turbine · megawatt · enrichment · spent fuel · breeder reactor · tokamak
radiotherapy
Medical radiation for cancer
- oncologyCancer medicine specialty
- brachytherapyLocalized implanted radiation oncology
- radioisotopeUnstable atomic nucleus variant
cobalt-60 · iodine-131 · PET scan · dosimetry · gamma knife · linear accelerator · radiology · diagnostic imaging · tracer · technetium-99m
shielding
Protecting from harm
- lead apronProtective garment blocking X-rays
- hazmat suitSealed garment blocking toxins
- dosimeterExposure measurement device
Geiger counter · decontamination · evacuation · containment · safety protocols · protective clothing · iodine tablets · bunker · fallout shelter · monitoring
- radiation
- KaijuGodzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Gojira, Mechagodzilla
- radiant energyphoton, photons, sunlight, visible light, luminescence
nuclear radiationchemical energy
Power stored in bonds
thermal radiation · chemical reaction · electromagnetic radiation · infrared radiation · visible light
nuclear radiationradiation shielding
Protective barrier against emissions
background radiation · lead shielding · radio waves · visible light · safe zone
nuclear radiationcosmic rays
Energetic particles from beyond
solar radiation · cosmic radiation · background radiation · sunlight · geothermal energy
nuclear, radiation, nucleus, nuclei, nucleic, nucleotide, radiate, radiant, radiance