Why is ionizing radiation so dangerous?

Chemistry for Engineering Students
4th Edition
ISBN:9781337398909
Author:Lawrence S. Brown, Tom Holme
Publisher:Lawrence S. Brown, Tom Holme
Chapter14: Nuclear Chemistry
Section: Chapter Questions
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Why is ionizing radiation so dangerous?
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Ionizing radiation has so much energy as it can knock electrons out of atoms, a process known as ionization.

Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, When the dose is high enough, ionizing radiation causes two types of harm to humans: direct tissue damage and cancer.

Direct tissue damage happens when enough molecules are broken apart that the cells simply can no longer function.

This can lead to radiation burns, radiation sickness, organ failure, and even death

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