Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2553 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Twin: Nonionizing Radiation
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The idea
Nonionizing radiation, like visible light and microwaves, carries too little energy per photon to remove an electron, so its main effect is heating.
In practice
Microwave radiation speeds up water molecules' motion, heating food, without ejecting any electrons from those molecules.
Where people slip
"Nonionizing" does not mean harmless in any amount — enough of it causes real thermal damage, as sunburn and microwave heat injury show.
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