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decomposition by radiation
...may result in a large variety of chemical changes involving the positive ion, the outgoing electron, and the excited states resultant from charge neutralization, as well as (parent) positive-ion fragmentation and ion-molecule reactions. Some such consequences are summarized for a few cases.
...radiation with atoms, resulting in an ejection of electrons from the atoms. The indirect effects are due to the formation of free radicals (unstable molecules carrying an extra electron) during the radiolysis (radiation-induced splitting) of water molecules. The radiolysis of water molecules produces hydroxyl radicals, highly reactive species that interact with the organic molecules present in...