What is a type of ionizing radiation?

Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions in the process. Alpha particles are a form of ionizing radiation and consist of two protons and two neutrons, which are emitted from the nucleus of an unstable atom. Due to their mass and charge, alpha particles can cause significant damage to cellular structures and biological tissues when they interact with matter, making them a critical focus in radiological safety and health.

In contrast, options such as infrared rays and visible light are forms of non-ionizing radiation. They do not carry sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules, so they do not pose the same level of risk as ionizing radiation. REM, on the other hand, refers to a unit of measurement used to quantify biological effects of ionizing radiation rather than being a type of radiation itself. Thus, the correct choice of alpha particle distinctly represents a type of ionizing radiation, highlighting its significance and impact in the context of radiation protection and safety training.