What is the Difference Between Radiation and Electromagnetic Radiation

The key difference between radiation and electromagnetic radiation is that radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes, whereas electromagnetic radiation is a combination of waves of the electromagnetic field that can propagate through space and can carry electromagnetic radiant energy.

The terms radiation and electromagnetic radiation are related to each other because electromagnetic radiation is a type of radiation.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Radiation 
3. What is Electromagnetic Radiation
4. Radiation vs Electromagnetic Radiation in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Radiation vs Electromagnetic Radiation 

What is Radiation?

Radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or material medium. There are different types of radiation, including electromagnetic radiation, particle radiation, acoustic radiation, and gravitational radiation.

Moreover, we can categorize radiation as either ionizing or non-ionizing radiation. This classification depends on the energy of radiated particles. Generally, ionizing radiation carries more than 10 eV, which is enough to ionize atoms and molecules and break chemical bonds. Non-ionizing radiation, however, refers to any type of electromagnetic radiation that is not carrying enough energy per quantum for the ionization of atoms or molecules.

The term radiation derives from the phenomenon of waves radiating from a source. This leads to a system of measurements and physical units that are applicable to all types of radiation. This type of radiation expands as it passes through space and also when the energy of this radiation is conserved, where the intensity of all types of radiation from a point source tends to follow an inverse-square law relative to the distance from its source.

What is Electromagnetic Radiation?

Electromagnetic radiation is a combination of waves of the electromagnetic field that tends to propagate through space and carry electromagnetic radiant energy. This includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, UV light, X-rays, and gamma rays. All these wave types tend to form a part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Moreover, electromagnetic radiation contains electromagnetic waves that synchronize with oscillations of electric and magnetic fields. These waves are generated due to periodic changes in the electric or magnetic field. This depends on how this periodic change takes place and how the power is generated. This also determines how different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum are produced. Furthermore, the speed of electromagnetic radiation is the speed of light.

The electrically charged particles undergoing acceleration emit electromagnetic radiation. These waves subsequently interact with other charged particles. This exerts a force on them. Moreover, electromagnetic radiation carries energy, momentum, and angular momentum away from the source particle and can impact those quantities of matter with which they interact.

What is the Difference Between Radiation and Electromagnetic Radiation?

The terms radiation and electromagnetic radiation are related to each other because electromagnetic radiation is a type of radiation. The key difference between radiation and electromagnetic radiation is that radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes, whereas electromagnetic radiation is a combination of waves of the electromagnetic field that can propagate through space and can carry electromagnetic radiant energy.

The below infographic presents the differences between radiation and electromagnetic radiation in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Radiation vs Electromagnetic Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is a type of radiation. The key difference between radiation and electromagnetic radiation is that radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes, whereas electromagnetic radiation is a combination of waves of the electromagnetic field that can propagate through space and can carry electromagnetic radiant energy.

Reference:

1. “Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves.” VEDANTU, Vedantu, 27 Apr. 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Alfa beta gamma radiation penetration” By Alfa beta gamma radiation.svg: Stannered / derivative work: Ehamberg – Own work based on: Alfa beta gamma radiation.svg (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Onde electromagnetique” By SuperManu – Self, based on Image:Onde electromagnetique.png (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia