What are the two basic types of radiation?

The two basic types of radiation are classified into particulate and electromagnetic. Particulate radiation consists of particles such as alpha and beta particles, which are emitted from radioactive decay. These particles have mass and can carry charge, making them able to ionize atoms and molecules they encounter.

Electromagnetic radiation, on the other hand, includes photons, which are massless packets of energy that travel at the speed of light. This category encompasses a range of radiation types from radio waves to gamma rays, with ionizing radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, being capable of causing ionization in materials they interact with. Understanding the distinction between these two types is crucial in radiation safety, particularly in the context of industrial radiography, where the type of radiation influences safety protocols and protective measures.

Other options, while related to the concept of radiation, do not accurately categorize it. Audible and visible pertain to human perception of sound and light, not the scientific categories of radiation. Light and dark are also not classifications of radiation but rather terms related to visual phenomena. Ionizing and non-ionizing indeed relate to the types of radiation, but they are more specific subcategories under the broader classifications of particulate and electromagnetic radiation.