Photons and ionisation Electromagnetic radiation comes in tiny packets called photons.

The photons deliver different quantities of energy, with radio photons delivering the smallest amount, and gamma photons delivering the greatest amount of energy. If the photons have enough energy, they can break molecules into bits called ions. This is called ionisation. These types of radiation are called ionising radiation. In the electromagnetic spectrum only the three types of radiation, which have the photons with most energy, are ionising. These are ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. Electromagnetic radiation An object which gives out electromagnetic radiation is called a source of radiation. Something which is affected by the radiation is a detector. Ionising radiation Ionising radiation can break molecules into smaller fragments. These charged particles are called ions. As a result, ionising radiation damages substances and materials, including those in the cells of living things. The ions themselves can take part in chemical reactions, spreading the damage. Ionising radiation includes:

ultraviolet radiation, which is found in sunlight X-rays, which are used in medical imaging machines gamma rays, which are produced by some radioactive materials Non-ionising radiation Not all types of electromagnetic radiation are ionising. Radio waves, light and microwaves are among them. Microwaves Microwaves are used to heat materials such as food. The molecules in the material absorb the energy delivered by the microwaves. This makes them vibrate faster, so the material heats up. The heating effect increases if:

the intensity of the microwave beam is increased the microwave beam is directed onto the material for longer So you need to cook food for longer in a less powerful microwave oven. This is why they have power ratings, and food labels recommend different cooking times depending on this. Microwave oven Microwave ovens work because the food contains water molecules which are made to vibrate by the microwaves. This means that food absorbs microwaves and gets hot. The microwaves cannot escape from the oven, because the metal case and the metal grid on the door reflect microwaves back into the oven. Mobile phone Some people think that mobile phones, which transmit and receive microwaves, may be a health risk. This is not accepted by everyone, as the intensity of the microwaves is too low to damage tissues by heating, and microwaves are not ionising.