What type of radiation does not have enough energy to ionize atoms?

Non-ionizing radiation refers to electromagnetic radiation that does not carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules, which means it cannot remove tightly bound electrons from their orbits around atoms. Examples of non-ionizing radiation include radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, and visible light. This type of radiation is generally considered less harmful compared to ionizing radiation, which can cause cellular damage and increase cancer risk due to its ability to ionize atoms.

In contrast, alpha radiation, beta radiation, and gamma radiation all fall under the category of ionizing radiation. These forms of radiation have sufficient energy to ionize atoms, meaning they can remove electrons and potentially cause chemical changes or damage in living tissues. Alpha radiation consists of positively charged particles, beta radiation consists of electrons or positrons, and gamma radiation is made up of high-energy photons. Since they can ionize atoms, they pose greater health risks compared to non-ionizing radiation.

Thus, non-ionizing radiation is correctly identified as the type of radiation that does not have enough energy to ionize atoms, making it distinct from the other types mentioned.