What is Radiation?

Radiation is a form of energy that may be carried by a stream of particles (i.e., particulate radiation) or by waves (i.e., electromagnetic radiation).

1. Particulate radiation consists of tiny, fast-moving particles that have energy and mass. The disintegration of radioactive elements produces this type of radiation, and it leads to the generation of neutrons and beta particles.^1,2,3,4

2. Electromagnetic radiation is mainly pure energy with no mass that travels through space and matter as waves at the speed of light in a stream of small "packets" of energy called photons.^1,2,3,4