Which of the following is a characteristic of non-ionizing radiation?

Non-ionizing radiation is characterized by having less energy than ionizing radiation. This distinction is crucial because ionizing radiation possesses enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, which can cause damage to DNA and lead to various health effects. In contrast, non-ionizing radiation does not have sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules.

The lower energy levels of non-ionizing radiation mean that it generally has different interactions with matter, primarily resulting in thermal effects rather than direct damage to biological tissues at the atomic level. This is why non-ionizing radiation is often associated with phenomena such as heating tissues (as in microwave radiation) rather than immediate burns or severe health risks associated with ionizing radiation.

Other aspects of non-ionizing radiation include its applications and penetration depth. While non-ionizing radiation does not penetrate deeply into biological tissues compared to ionizing radiation, it can still interact with surface tissues, primarily through heating mechanisms. Its applications differ significantly from ionizing radiation, which is integral in nuclear medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Thus, understanding the distinction in energy levels helps clarify the fundamental nature of non-ionizing radiation.