What phenomenon occurs when radiation interacts with gases?

When radiation interacts with gases, ionization occurs as a key phenomenon. This process involves the transfer of enough energy from the incoming radiation to an atom or molecule within the gas, resulting in the removal of one or more electrons. As a consequence, the atom or molecule becomes ionized, which means it has acquired a net electric charge due to the loss of electrons.

Ionization is crucial in various applications, including radiation detection and measurement, where the ions created in the gas can be collected and measured as an electrical signal. This underpins the operation of devices such as gas-filled detectors and ionization chambers, which are essential tools in radiation safety and monitoring.

The concept of ionization explains how radiation can lead to major changes in the behavior of matter in the surrounding environment. In contrast, other phenomena like absorption involve the uptake of radiation energy without ionization, and terms like irradiation and displacement do not accurately describe the specific interaction of radiation with gases that results in the creation of charged particles.