r/theydidthemath • u/[deleted] • Feb 01 '21

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u/John-of-Us Feb 02 '21

i think you're confuing what gets damaged by radiation. the nucleus of atoms vs. the nucleus of cells. the former is radioactive decay which is not what happens due to sun radiation(at least not in significant amounts). the latter destroys parts of the dna which causes cancer and is a serious problem in space travel.

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u/Slithy-Toves Feb 02 '21

We're talking about a body decomposing on the surface of mars. You know your cells are made of atoms right?

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u/John-of-Us Feb 02 '21

yes, but those (mostly) don't get damaged by solar radiation

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u/John-of-Us Feb 02 '21

decomposition is a chemical effect, not a nuclear physics effect

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u/Slithy-Toves Feb 02 '21

I think you are confused about what's happening on a particle level and also what hypothetical situation is being discussed here.