Radiation chemistry refers to the study of chemical reactions that are induced by ionizing radiation. Some synonyms for the term radiation chemistry include: radiation-induced chemistry, radiolytic chemistry, and ionizing radiation chemistry. These terms all describe the same field of study but may be used in different contexts. Radiation-induced chemistry may be used in discussing the effects of radiation on materials, while radiolytic chemistry refers specifically to the chemical reactions that occur when radiation is absorbed by water molecules. Ionizing radiation chemistry is a broader term that encompasses all of the chemical reactions that result from the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter.