What is ionizing radiation capable of doing?

Ionizing radiation is particularly notable for its ability to ionize atoms, which means it can remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, thus creating ions. This property allows ionizing radiation, which includes particles like alpha and beta particles, as well as electromagnetic waves such as gamma rays, to interact with matter at the atomic level.

When ionizing radiation passes through materials, it can disrupt the molecular bonds and lead to chemical reactions and changes in those substances. This is significant in a variety of applications, including medical imaging and cancer treatment, but the fundamental action of ionizing radiation is indeed ionization of atoms. This capacity underlies its biological effects, which often include damage to cellular DNA, potentially leading to mutations or cell death.

In contrast, while ionizing radiation can lead to changes in molecular structures as a direct result of causing ionization, this is a secondary effect rather than its primary capability. The option about causing only heating effects pertains more accurately to non-ionizing radiation, which does not possess the energy necessary to remove electrons from atoms. Meanwhile, the emission of light upon absorption relates to a different interaction mechanism not primarily characteristic of ionizing radiation.