Classifying Radiation

When people in general refer to ‘radiation’ they tend to think of ionizing radiation (and often use the phrase ‘nuclear radiation’ for it). Non-iodizing radiation is more generally thought of as the generation of waves. These two types of radiation (which should be linked) are captured in the classification of relationships:

→nr Transmitting nuclear radiation

→nw Transmitting waves or rays [Refract is (change)(direction)(ray)]

The latter should also be linked to the common types of wave transmission, such as light, heat, sound, and radio which receive separate treatment.

All types of ionizing radiation could be identified by the particles/waves involved. Thus:

· →nrWB2e Beta radiation involves the transmission of electrons. [WB2e can be underlined to capture the transmission of positrons]

· →nrWH3p Alpha radiation involves the transmission of protons

· →nrWH3n Neutron radiation involves the transmission of neutrons

· →nrWB1p Gamma radiation involves the transmission of photons.

Further clarification can also be provided as necessary through linking to the qualifier ‘wavelength’ [Which will be fleshed out within category N where measures are engaged]. X-rays also involve the transmission of photons. These used to be distinguished from gamma radiation by wavelength but now are commonly distinguished in terms of the source of radiation. The distinction between gamma and X-ray is thus unnecessarily vague in the literature. This vagueness can be overcome by linking to both source and wavelength in classifying works. Note that the classification allows any other hypothesized or real sort of radiation to be easily classified.

Further use of compound notation allows types of radiation to be linked to their effects as well as their causes:

Generally ionizing is more dangerous to humans but ultraviolet though non-ionizing causes sunburn by generating heat and exciting atoms. It would be a mistake to classify types of radiation in terms of their effects on humans (especially as these are still under investigation) but these effects can be best captured by causal links from types of radiation.

Ionizing radiation has important impacts on the source of the radiation as well. Decay can change atoms to new isotopes or to a quite different elements. Often there is a chain where decay first to one thing then another through many steps. It is not necessary to indicate each of these steps but only the opening and closing atoms:

(original element/isotope) →nr (closing element/isotope)

Cosmic rays are energetic charged subatomic particles, originating in outer space [→nr (from) (space)]