Ionizing radiation :

Electromagnetic radiation – emission of energy with no mass and no charge, across a spectrum of wavelengths(frequency).   As the wavelength gets shorter the probability for ionizing radiation increases.

  ( Radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric charge.   A wave of energy having a frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum and propagated as a periodic disturbance of the electromagnetic field when an electric charge oscillates or accelerates.)

• Photons  - ionizong radiation with no mass and no charge
• Gamma rays – radiation that is produce in the nucleus of radioactive materials (ex. Cobalt 60)
• X-rays – radiation that is produced by the ejection of electrons (ex. LINAC)

Particulate Radiation – ionizing radiation with a mass and maybe a charge.

•  Electron beam (e-)

•  Used to treat and to spare

•  Get most of the beam up until wher you want to treat

•  The difference in charge slows and eventually dissipates the beam

•  Beta (B-)

•  Emitted from the nucleus of radioactive materials (ex. Strontium 90)

•  Same as an electron beam

•  Small mass and negative charge

•  (pyterygium – warts on cornea, strontium 90 is used to stop the growth)

•  Neutrons

•  Heavy particles with no charge

•  A proton + an electron (p + + e-)

•  Very rarely used therapeutically

•  Alpha particles