The amount of time needed for half of the atoms in a quantity of a radioisotope to decay. The production of ions from neutral atoms or molecules by some process. For example, exposure to ionizing radiation. The assumption that the risk of developing cancer from low doses of ionizing radiation decreases proportionally with decreasing dose rate along a linear slope obtained by extrapolating to zero dose the effects observed at high dose rates and that there is some risk for any radiation dose greater than zero. A permanent, transmittible change in the characteristics of an offspring that makes it different from its parents.
Neutrons have no electrical charge.
An inert gas. The energy released from the reactions of the nuclei. The plural of nucleus. The central part of an atom that contains the protons and neutrons. Strictly speaking, any atom, but generally used for radioactive atoms, referred to as radionuclides.