Mode of Action of Ionizing Radiations on Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

VARIOUS authors^1,2,3 have reported that the action of ionizing radiations in aqueous solutions is indirect. The primary action appears to be on the water, with the formation of an intermediate product which then acts upon the solute. If one accepts this hypothesis, one would expect : (1) that with an equal dose of radiation a dilute solution would be relatively more affected than a more concentrated one (dilution phenomenon) ; and (2) that any additional substance in the solution, capable of reacting with the intermediate product, would divert some of this from its partner to itself (protection phenomenon).