What is one common type of ionizing radiation?

Ionizing radiation refers to radiation that has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions. This type of radiation can cause damage to living tissue and DNA, making it important to understand in the context of health and safety.

X-rays are a well-known form of ionizing radiation commonly used in medical imaging to visualize structures within the body. They are produced when high-energy electrons collide with a metal target, resulting in the emission of X-ray photons that can penetrate tissue. The ability of X-rays to ionize atoms is what sets them apart as a significant hazard, especially to health and safety professionals who need to ensure adequate protection and limit exposure.

The other options provided—ultraviolet light, infrared radiation, and radio waves—are types of non-ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation does not carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules and is generally considered to be less harmful than ionizing radiation. While ultraviolet light can cause skin damage and is associated with certain health risks, it does not ionize atoms in the same way that X-rays do. Infrared radiation is primarily associated with heat and has no ionizing capability, while radio waves are used for communication and do not possess the energy necessary to ionize atoms. Thus