Which of the following is a characteristic of non-ionizing radiation?

Non-ionizing radiation is characterized primarily by its inability to displace electrons from atoms or molecules, which is a defining feature of ionizing radiation. This trait makes non-ionizing radiation generally considered less harmful compared to its ionizing counterpart. Non-ionizing radiation includes forms such as visible light, radio waves, and microwaves, which do not have enough energy to ionize atoms or cause direct damage to DNA.

While ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays, has sufficient energy to remove tightly bound electrons, leading to potential biological harm, non-ionizing radiation primarily causes heating effects and is typically less energetic. This distinction is essential because it impacts the health risk assessments and safety regulations surrounding various types of radiation exposure.

In the context of other options, non-ionizing radiation is not used for radiation therapy, which predominantly utilizes ionizing radiation for its therapeutic benefits. Additionally, the energy levels of non-ionizing radiation are generally lower than those of ionizing radiation, making it incapable of displacing electrons, which is a hallmark of ionizing radiation.