Which term describes radiation capable of removing electrons from atoms?

Which term describes radiation capable of removing electrons from atoms?

• A. Non-ionizing radiation
• B. Ionizing radiation
• C. Visible light
• D. Infrared

Answer: (B)

Ionizing radiation is radiation that has enough energy per photon to knock electrons off atoms, creating ions. The energy of a photon is given by E = hν (or hc/λ); when this energy exceeds the binding energy holding an electron, the electron is ejected. This is why higher-energy photons like ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma radiation can ionize atoms, whereas lower-energy photons from visible light or infrared typically do not and instead mostly heat or excite matter. So the term that describes radiation capable of removing electrons from atoms is ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation is radiation that has enough energy per photon to knock electrons off atoms, creating ions. The energy of a photon is given by E = hν (or hc/λ); when this energy exceeds the binding energy holding an electron, the electron is ejected. This is why higher-energy photons like ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma radiation can ionize atoms, whereas lower-energy photons from visible light or infrared typically do not and instead mostly heat or excite matter. So the term that describes radiation capable of removing electrons from atoms is ionizing radiation.