Radiation chemistry is the study of how radioactive elements interact with other materials and how these radioactive materials can be used for different processes. Radiation exists as three different types: alpha rays, beta rays, and gamma rays. Alpha rays consist of helium-4 nuclei (two protons and two neutrons) and have a positive charge. Beta rays consist of electrons and have a negative charge. Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves.

When a radioactive element decays it emits particles of one or more of the radiation types. As this happens the element changes its nature. As protons are lost from the nucleus in the form of alpha particles the element changes from one element to another. Because of the different number of elementary particles in the atom the element is an isotope. There is a gradual change of one element into an isotope of another until a stable...