Radiation chemistry

Radiation Chemistry is a branch of Chemistry that involves the study of chemical reactions initiated by Radiation. It is a multidisciplinary field that intersects with Nuclear Physics, Radiochemistry, and Radiobiology.

Overview

Radiation chemistry involves the study of the chemical effects of Ionizing Radiation on matter. This includes the study of both primary processes and subsequent reactions. The primary processes are those that occur in the first 10^-12 seconds after the radiation interacts with the target. Subsequent reactions are those that occur after the primary processes.

Primary Processes

The primary processes in radiation chemistry are ionization and excitation. Ionization is the process by which an atom or a molecule acquires a negative or positive charge by gaining or losing electrons. Excitation is the process in which a substance gains energy and moves to a higher energy state.

Subsequent Reactions

Subsequent reactions in radiation chemistry include the reactions of the primary products of ionization and excitation. These reactions can lead to the formation of new chemical species, including Free Radicals, ions, and molecules.

Applications

Radiation chemistry has many applications in various fields. In Medicine, it is used in Radiation Therapy for the treatment of cancer. In Industry, it is used in the sterilization of medical equipment and food products. In Environmental Science, it is used in the study of the effects of radiation on the environment.

See Also

• Radiochemistry
• Radiobiology
• Nuclear Physics
• Chemistry
• Radiation Therapy
• Ionizing Radiation
• Free Radicals