Radiation

Resources

Exploring Canada’s Particle Accelerators

Particle accelerators have amazing applications - from growing food to making airplanes safe.

Physics Videos

Radiation Effects on the Body

This backgrounder explains the potential effects of radiation on the human body.

Gamma ray image of the Milky Way taken by NASA’s Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope (NASA)

Gamma Rays: Helper or Hazard?

Gamma rays might make you think of cancer, harmful radiation or superheroes. But gamma rays have lots of uses: food safety, manufacturing and even medicine!

Screen captures from embedded Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell videos

What are the Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy?

These two “point-counterpoint” videos provide arguments for and against using nuclear energy to generate electricity.

Cleaning Up Nuclear Waste After Decommissioning

When a nuclear reactor is no longer in use, the radioactivity in its materials remains. That’s why it’s important to safely deal with the radioactive waste those plants leave behind.

Radiation shielding garment on the International Space Station

Radiation and Human Space Exploration

One of the greatest hazards that humans in space face is cosmic radiation. Learn what cosmic radiation is, why it's dangerous, and ways that we are looking at protecting humans in deep space.

Artist’s interpretation of astronaut in space

What are the Different Types of Radiation?

Learn about the different types of radiation, how they interact with atoms and how they can affect you.

Cosmic Radiation and Aviation

Learn how people came to understand the source of cosmic radiation, as well as how this radiation impacts those who work in and travel on airplanes.

DNA Damage and Repair

This backgrounder explains the different ways that cells repair damage to DNA.

Radiation Effects on Cells & DNA

This backgrounder explains the effects of radiation on cells and DNA.

What are Cosmic Rays?

This backgrounder has information about both cosmic & neutron radiation.