radiation

• What is radioactive decay?

  The random process where unstable isotopes emit something so the become more stable
• What do alpha particles have the same nucleus as?

  A helium nucleus
• Why cant alpha particles penetrate far into other materials?

  They are relatively large so they are easily stopped by collisions with other molecules.
• What is a material that absorbs an alpha particle

  A single piece of paper
• How ionising are alpha particles?

  Highly ionising
• What does ionising mean?

  To knock electrons off any atoms they collide with
• What are beta particles the same as?

  Electrons
• Where are electrons emitted from?

  an atom's neutron that has decayed into a proton and an electron
• Why can beta particles penetrate far into material?

  They are very tiny
• What material absorbs beta particles?

  Aluminum (specifically 5mm +)
• What are gamma rays?

  Waves of electromagnetic radiation
• When are gamma rays emitted?

  After alpha and beta radiation
• How ionising are beta particles?

  Moderately ionising
• Why can gamma rays pass through anything?

  Gamma rays have no mass or charge
• How ionising are gamma rays?

  Weakly ionising. This is because they pass through everything
• What material stops gamma rays?

  Thick sheets of lead
• What happens if there is too many neutrons in a nucleus?

  The nucleus can throw out a neutron to become more stable