Radiation

For other uses, see (disambiguation)}}}.

Radiation in physics is a process of emission of energy in the form of waves or particles. Various types of radiation may be distinguished, depending on the properties of the emitted energy/matter, the type of the emission source, properties and purposes of the emission, etc.

Contents

1 Radiation by type of emission
2 Radiation by source/cause of emission
3 Radiation by properties of emission
4 See also

Radiation by type of emission

Electromagnetic radiation, a stream of photons.
* Gamma radiation, which is high-energy electromagnetic waves.
Gravitational radiation, a predicted consequence of general relativity.
Particle radiation, radiation by means of particles that have a rest mass.
* Alpha radiation, composed of the nuclei of helium-4 atoms.
* Beta radiation, consisting of energetic electrons or positrons.
* Neutron radiation

Radiation by source/cause of emission

Particle:
* Delta radiation
* Epsilon radiation

E/m:
* Cherenkov radiation, electromagnetic radiation by a particle moving through an insulating medium faster than the speed of light in that medium.
* Synchrotron radiation, radiation by a charged particle undergoing acceleration.
* Solar radiation, radiation emitted by the sun.
* Thermal radiation, emission of electromagnetic radiation by a hot object
* Hawking radiation, thermal radiation thought to be emitted by black holes due to quantum effects.

Radiation by properties of emission

Ionizing radiation, radiation with sufficient energy to cause ionization.
Non-ionizing radiation, radiation that does not carry enough energy to directly cause ionization.

Radiation

Radiation by type of emission

Radiation by source/cause of emission

Radiation by properties of emission

See also