What does non-ionizing radiation do?

What does non-ionizing radiation do?

• A. Heats tissues
• B. Causes ionization
• C. Breaks chemical bonds
• D. Causes chemical changes at the atomic level

Answer: (D)

Non-ionizing radiation delivers energy to matter without ejecting electrons. That energy is usually transferred to molecules, causing them to vibrate or rotate, which shows up as heating of tissues. At the same time, the absorbed energy can drive chemical changes by altering bonds or enabling reactions at the molecular level, all without ionizing the atoms. This is why the statement that it causes chemical changes at the atomic level best fits what non-ionizing radiation can do. Ionization—removing electrons—doesn’t occur with non-ionizing radiation, and while heating is a common effect, the ability to cause chemical changes without ionization is the distinguishing concept.

Non-ionizing radiation delivers energy to matter without ejecting electrons. That energy is usually transferred to molecules, causing them to vibrate or rotate, which shows up as heating of tissues. At the same time, the absorbed energy can drive chemical changes by altering bonds or enabling reactions at the molecular level, all without ionizing the atoms. This is why the statement that it causes chemical changes at the atomic level best fits what non-ionizing radiation can do. Ionization—removing electrons—doesn’t occur with non-ionizing radiation, and while heating is a common effect, the ability to cause chemical changes without ionization is the distinguishing concept.