Strålingens

Strålning, or radiation in Swedish, describes energy that propagates through space or matter as waves or particles. The possessive form strålingens appears in phrases describing properties of radiation, such as strålingens intensitet or strålingens spektrum. Radiation can originate from natural sources, such as the Sun and radioactive decay, or from human-made sources, including X-ray devices, industrial processes, and nuclear reactors.

Radiation is typically divided into electromagnetic radiation and particle radiation. Electromagnetic radiation spans from radio waves, through infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet, to X-rays and gamma rays. Particle radiation includes alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons, which are energetic atomic or subatomic particles.

Key properties include energy, wavelength or frequency, and the ability to travel at the speed of light in vacuum for electromagnetic waves. Ionizing radiation is energetic enough to remove electrons from atoms, potentially causing chemical changes and biological damage; non-ionizing radiation has lower energy (e.g., visible light, microwaves) and generally does not ionize atoms. The interaction with matter depends on energy, material composition, and geometry, influencing attenuation, scattering, and dose distribution.

Measurement and units: dose quantities such as gray (Gy) for absorbed energy and sievert (Sv) for biological effect; activity is measured in becquerels (Bq). Detectors include Geiger–Müller counters, scintillation detectors, and dosimeters. Standards and practice aim to minimize exposure, using shielding, distance, and time management.

Applications: medical imaging (X-ray, CT), radiation therapy, sterilization, materials inspection, and energy production in nuclear reactors. Safety and regulation are handled by national and international bodies to protect workers and the public, with principles such as ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable).