# Explain why nuclear radiation from a radioactive source can be described as ionising radiation, and state one danger this poses to living cells.

> WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales) — 2.9 Nuclear decay and nuclear energy · Explain · 4 marks

> Radioactive substances emit radiation that can travel through materials and interact with matter. This radiation is described as ionising radiation.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Ionising radiation has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms/molecules
2. This creates charged particles called ions
3. Ionising radiation can damage or break DNA in living cells
4. This can cause mutations leading to cancer, or kill cells outright

## Key terms

- [ionising radiation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ionising-radiation)
- [ion](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ion)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-nuclear-radiation-from-a-490ac6f7) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.