What occurs when radiation passes through absorbing material?

When radiation passes through absorbing material, the absorption process can lead to electrons being removed from the atoms of that material. This phenomenon occurs particularly when the radiation is high-energy, such as in the case of ionizing radiation, which includes alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

When the energy of the incoming radiation is sufficient, it can impart enough energy to remove an electron from its atom, resulting in the ionization of that atom. This process not only helps understand the nature of radiation but also highlights the interactions between radiation and matter. The ejected electrons contribute to a range of other effects, such as creating free radicals or secondary ionization, which can lead to further chemical reactions.

The other options do not directly relate to this process. For instance, atoms becoming stable does not apply since the absorption can actually disrupt atomic structure rather than stabilize it. The creation of molecules typically involves bonding and chemical reactions, which is not a direct effect of radiation simply passing through an absorbing medium. Similarly, while photons may be generated in some processes, they are not produced just from the interaction of radiation with absorbing material in this context. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the direct interaction that leads to ionization of the atoms in the material.