Radiation: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to the energy emitted as waves or particles, particularly in medical, scientific, and technical contexts.

• Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer
• The radiation levels near the reactor were dangerously high

Use when referring to the act of producing or sending out something, especially gas, light, heat, or sound, commonly in environmental or technical contexts.

• The car's emissions are within the legal limit
• Factories must reduce their harmful emissions

Use when referring to the state of being exposed to something, particularly something harmful like chemicals or radiation.

• Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin damage
• Workers need to be aware of their exposure to hazardous materials

Use when referring to light or heat as emitted or reflected by something, often used in artistic or descriptive contexts to convey brightness and beauty.

• The radiance of the sunset was breathtaking
• Her smile had a warm radiance

This term is often used in a broad sense to describe energy that is emitted in the form of waves or particles. It can refer to anything from sunlight to nuclear radiation.

• Sunlight is a form of radiation.
• The scientists measured the radiation levels near the reactor.

This term is specific to the medical field and refers to the use of radiation in the treatment of diseases, primarily cancer. It is a specialized form of treatment.

• The doctor recommended radiotherapy as part of the cancer treatment plan.
• Side effects of radiotherapy may include fatigue and skin irritation.

This term is frequently used in the context of exposing objects, food, or living tissue to radiation. It often has a technical or scientific nuance.

• The food underwent irradiation to kill off any harmful bacteria.
• Irradiation can render medical equipment sterile.

This term is broadly used in scientific and medical contexts to refer to the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles. It is also commonly used when discussing the health effects of exposure to certain types of energy.

• The radiation from the sun is essential for life on Earth.
• Doctors must carefully monitor the radiation levels patients are exposed to during X-rays.

This term is often used in environmental science, particularly when discussing pollutants released into the atmosphere. It is also used in physics when referring to the release of particles or energy.

• The new regulations aim to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
• During the experiment, we observed the emission of alpha particles from the radioactive material.

This phrase is typically used in the context of physics and engineering, especially when describing processes that involve the release of energy, such as chemical reactions, explosions, or nuclear reactions.

• The energy release from the combustion of gasoline powers the car engine.
• During a nuclear reaction, a significant amount of energy release occurs.

This term is specifically used in nuclear physics and high-energy physics to describe the release of subatomic particles from atomic nuclei or other particles. It is commonly associated with radioactive decay and particle accelerators.

• The particle emission was detected by the sensors in the laboratory.
• Alpha particle emission is a common type of radioactive decay.