The concept of Radiative Biological Effectiveness confuses me slightly in the sense of its relation to energy. My question more directly, is that if two different types of radiation have the same RBE, does each type therefore deliver the same amount of energy to the tissue it radiates? I'd assume the answer is yes, because I'd think that things providing the same amount of energy would produce the same biological effect, but I didn't know if there were other factors involved that I'm overlooking. Any explanations would be appreciated!

This may help

http://www.nsbri.org/Radiation/HumanAffects.html

No, not exactly. For example, if the same amount of energy is deposited over a broader area, it will do less damage. A beam of one type of radiation may deposite its energy over a long path from where it first enters the body to some distance later where it has lost all of its energy. Another type of radiation may lose all of its energy quickly and in one spot. The area affected is largely determined by the type of radiation. RBE is determined experimentally (by bombarding cells with known energies of radiation and observing how much damage is done).

Welcome to the Pool.

Thank you both very much for your help.