What is characteristic of nonionizing radiation?

Nonionizing radiation is characterized by its inability to ionize atoms or molecules. This means that while it can produce various effects on matter, including heat or excitation of electrons to higher energy states, it does not have sufficient energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, which is what ionization entails. This characteristic differentiates nonionizing radiation from ionizing radiation, which can cause chemical changes and damage to cellular structures due to its higher energy levels.

In the context of safety and health, while nonionizing radiation can pose risks—particularly at high intensities—such as thermal damage or other biological effects, it does not interact with biological tissues in the same disruptive manner that ionizing radiation can. This fundamental property of nonionizing radiation is crucial for understanding its applications in medical therapies, such as laser treatments, where the goal is to stimulate rather than damage tissues.