Radio is the technology of using radio waves to carry information, such as sound, by systematically modulating properties of electromagnetic energy waves transmitted through space, such as their amplitude, frequency, phase, or pulse width. When radio waves strike an electrical conductor, the oscillating fields induce an alternating current in the conductor. The information in the waves can be extracted and transformed back into its original form.
Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity or nuclear radiation) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy (in terms of mass in its rest frame) by emitting radiation, such as an alpha particle, beta particle with neutrino or only a neutrino in the case of electron capture, or a gamma ray or electron in the case of internal conversion. A material containing such unstable nuclei is considered radioactive. Certain highly excited short-lived nuclear states can decay through neutron emission, or more rarely, proton emission.
The two terms share the word "radio" but that is a latin root meaning ray, beam, and both radio and radioactive are in the form of a ray or beam.
Word Origin and History for radioactive. 1898, from French radio-actif , coined by Pierre and Marie Curie from radio- , comb. form of Latin radius (see radiation) + actif "active" (see active).
Origin of "radio": based on Latin radius ‘ray, beam.’
It's historical. Radio waves were originally called Hertzian waves, but the name radio waves gradually become more common.
'Radio' is derived from 'radiate' which means to emit (anything) radially outwards.
X-rays and gamma waves weren't identified till later.
Radioactive materials emit (radiate) different types of radiation (including gamma rays but also alpha and beta particles). It is incorrect to say "x-rays and gamma rays are more “radio”active" - they aren't radioactive at all. Only substances can be radioactive.
X-rays and gamma rays are more *ionising* than radio waves, which is where you getting confused I think.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
x-rays and gamma rays are NOT “radio” active.
wikipedia:
Radio is the technology of using radio waves to carry information, such as sound, by systematically modulating properties of electromagnetic energy waves transmitted through space, such as their amplitude, frequency, phase, or pulse width. When radio waves strike an electrical conductor, the oscillating fields induce an alternating current in the conductor. The information in the waves can be extracted and transformed back into its original form.
Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity or nuclear radiation) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy (in terms of mass in its rest frame) by emitting radiation, such as an alpha particle, beta particle with neutrino or only a neutrino in the case of electron capture, or a gamma ray or electron in the case of internal conversion. A material containing such unstable nuclei is considered radioactive. Certain highly excited short-lived nuclear states can decay through neutron emission, or more rarely, proton emission.
The two terms share the word "radio" but that is a latin root meaning ray, beam, and both radio and radioactive are in the form of a ray or beam.
Word Origin and History for radioactive. 1898, from French radio-actif , coined by Pierre and Marie Curie from radio- , comb. form of Latin radius (see radiation) + actif "active" (see active).
Origin of "radio": based on Latin radius ‘ray, beam.’
It's historical. Radio waves were originally called Hertzian waves, but the name radio waves gradually become more common.
'Radio' is derived from 'radiate' which means to emit (anything) radially outwards.
X-rays and gamma waves weren't identified till later.
Radioactive materials emit (radiate) different types of radiation (including gamma rays but also alpha and beta particles). It is incorrect to say "x-rays and gamma rays are more “radio”active" - they aren't radioactive at all. Only substances can be radioactive.
X-rays and gamma rays are more *ionising* than radio waves, which is where you getting confused I think.