ionising radiation

• what are the three types of ionising radiation?

  Alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
• alpha radiation is when an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus
• an alpha particle is two neutrons and two protons
• what type of radiation is the most ionising?

  alpha
• what type of radiation is least penetrating?

  alpha
• alpha radiation is used in smoke detectors because..?


  it ionises air particles, causing a current to flow. If there is smoke in the air, it binds to the ions - meaning the current stops and the alarm sounds
• alpha particles are helium nuclei
• beta particles are high-speed electrons
• beta particles have no mass and a charge of -1
• beta emitters are used to test thickness of sheets of metal
• gamma rays are waves of electromagnetic radiation released by the nucleus
• what type of radiation is the least ionising?

  gamma
• what type of radiation is most penetrating?

  gamma
• beta particles are both moderately ionising and penetrating
• outside the body what sources are the most dangerous?

  beta and gamma
• inside the body what source is the most dangerous?

  alpha
• what are the risks of using radiation?

  -can cause mutant cells which divide uncontrollably

  -higher doses can kill cells and can cause tissue damage
• how does radiotherapy treat cancer?

  high doses can kill cancer cells or they can use a radiation emitting implant next to or inside the tumor