Neutron radiation

Neutron Radiation

Neutron radiation (/ˈnjuːtrɒn ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/) is a form of Ionizing radiation that consists of free neutrons. This type of radiation is highly penetrating and can be hazardous to living organisms.

Etymology

The term "neutron radiation" is derived from the word "neutron", which is a subatomic particle carrying no net electric charge, and "radiation", which refers to the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles.

Types of Neutron Radiation

Neutron radiation is typically classified into three types:

Thermal neutrons: These are free neutrons that are in thermal equilibrium with a surrounding medium. They have an average kinetic energy of about 0.025 electron volts (eV).
Epithermal neutrons: These are neutrons that have energies between thermal and fast neutrons, typically in the range of 0.5 eV to 10 keV.
Fast neutrons: These are high-energy neutrons with energies above 1 MeV.

Health Effects

Exposure to neutron radiation can have serious health effects, including Radiation sickness and increased risk of cancer. Neutron radiation is particularly damaging to living tissue and can cause cancer and other diseases.

Protection

Protection against neutron radiation is more difficult than protection against charged particle radiation. Materials rich in light elements, such as hydrogen, are the most effective at slowing and absorbing neutrons. This includes materials such as water, polyethylene, and concrete.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Neutron radiation
Wikipedia's article - Neutron radiation

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Neutron radiation