Electromagnetic Radiation vs Particle Radiation

[betterfuture]

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So I was reading up on Electromagnetic radiation. They are oscillating waves of energy with perpendicular electric field and magnetic field. Here, light behaves like a wave where a higher frequency equates higher E, though light can behave like particles - existing as packets of light or photons. Radioactive atoms also give off energy in the form of particles, as the difference in mass in converted to Energy.

My question is, how does the energy carried by high frequency EM waves work vs. radioactive particles? So when they say radiation can cause damage to our body because they can ionize atoms, how does EM differ from radioactive particles in carrying out the Energy? With particles, I know that they can possess some speed which gives them KE, energy associated with speed. But with waves, it would work differently, though I don't know how. Can someone explain?

Also, with regards to mass being converted to energy, is this just heat thus the Energy that does the damage? I am a little confused.

 

[aldol16]

My question is, how does the energy carried by high frequency EM waves work vs. radioactive particles? So when they say radiation can cause damage to our body because they can ionize atoms, how does EM differ from radioactive particles in carrying out the Energy? With particles, I know that they can possess some speed which gives them KE, energy associated with speed. But with waves, it would work differently, though I don't know how. Can someone explain?

Remember the particle-wave duality of light. You can imagine it as a particle if it helps you conceptualize it. Light transfers energy to other particles. How exactly that energy transfer occurs is beyond the scope of the MCAT. But you can imagine it as analogous to sticking your hand into an oven and taking it out. Initially, your hand was cold but when you take it out, it's hot. Energy transfer has occurred. If you can accept that light transfers energy to other particles, then it logically follows that if that energy transfer exceeds the ionization energy of the particle receiving the energy, that particle will become ionized. So UV light can mess with your DNA, exciting the particles in your body and causing oxidative damage. That's why you need sunscreen.

Particles can also transfer energy as you realize. You can again imagine the energy transfer as a direct collision between, say, an alpha particle and another particle, which effects energy transfer much like two billiard balls colliding. If that energy transfer exceeds a certain limit, then particles can be ionized.

Also, with regards to mass being converted to energy, is this just heat thus the Energy that does the damage? I am a little confused.

This is a nuclear process and actually releases a lot of energy. Hence the power of fission and fusion weapons.

 

[betterfuture]

So basically, we can explain the nature of EM radiation as light being a particle. Because I read some times it behaves as a waves and other times as particles but never both. Therefore, both types of radiation I mentioned would work the same way, via collision?

And for nuclear reactions, they give off heat and KE? As in, particles themselves behaving like billiard balls, colliding with other atoms as well as the mass being converted to energy in the form of heat?

 

[aldol16]

So basically, we can explain the nature of EM radiation as light being a particle. Because I read some times it behaves as a waves and other times as particles but never both. Therefore, both types of radiation I mentioned would work the same way, via collision?

Light is both a particle and a wave. There are insufficiencies in both explanations and that's why both are required. I don't know where you read that it can't be both. A more accurate characterization is that in some instances, it's better seen as acting as a particle and in others, it's better seen acting as a wave.

And for nuclear reactions, they give off heat and KE? As in, particles themselves behaving like billiard balls, colliding with other atoms as well as the mass being converted to energy in the form of heat?

I think the best characterization would be they give off energy, which can take many forms. In a nuclear weapon, this energy would take the form of a blast (shockwave), heat, and radiation.