radiation: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos and Videos

energy states in molecular systems

electromagnetic spectrum

contrast of phase velocity and wave velocity

Cherenkov radiation

detector output connected to a measuring circuit

elements of pulse-processing systems

The environmental effects of nuclear radiation

How does radiation affect the human body?

Learn how solar flares can affect satellites, rockets, telecommunications systems and activity on the surface of the Earth

Can science explain the Fantastic Four's powers?

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

emission light luminescence X-ray photoelectric effect gamma ray ultraviolet radiation photovoltaic effect absorption pair production radioactivity relativity cluster isomerism phase temperature elasticity entropy polarity heat

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Becquerel, Henri

Henri Becquerel

French physicist

David Hilbert

David Hilbert

German mathematician

default image

Robert H. Dicke

American physicist

Chandrasekhar, Subrahmanyan

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar

American astronomer

Georges Charpak

Georges Charpak

French physicist

Geiger counter

Hans Geiger

German physicist

C.T.R. Wilson, 1927

C.T.R. Wilson

British physicist

Electric power lines against sunset (grid, power, wires, electrical, electricity)

Energy & Fossil Fuels

36 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Science Quizzes

Mushrooms growing in forest. (vegetable; fungus; mushroom; macrofungi; epigeous)

Science at Random Quiz