P6.1 Radioactive Emissions

• Alpha particles are high-energy electrons.

  False
• Gamma rays have the highest penetrating power of all radioactive emissions.
• Match the type of radiation with its definition:

  Alpha particles ↔️ Helium nuclei

  Beta particles ↔️ High-energy electrons

  Gamma rays ↔️ High-energy electromagnetic radiation
• What material can stop beta particles?

  Thin aluminum
• What particles make up an alpha particle?

  2 protons, 2 neutrons
• What is the charge of an alpha particle?

  +2e
• Where are alpha particles used?

  Smoke detectors
• In what field are beta particles used?

  Medical imaging
• What is radioactivity?

  Spontaneous emission of radiation
• What is the charge of a beta particle?

  Negative
• Which type of radiation is most ionizing?

  Alpha
• Radioactive emissions differ in their penetrating power, ionizing ability, and safety considerations.
• Alpha particles are the most ionizing of all radioactive emissions.
• Beta particles are less ionizing than alpha particles.


  True
• Beta particles are high-energy electrons emitted from the nucleus.
• Match the type of radiation with its key property:

  Alpha ↔️ Most ionizing

  Beta ↔️ Moderate penetration

  Gamma ↔️ Highest penetration
• Alpha particles have a positive charge and heavy mass.


  True
• Alpha particles have a positive charge of +2e and a relatively heavy mass.


  True
• Gamma rays require dense shielding like lead to stop them.
• Gamma rays are the least ionizing of the three types of radiation.


  True
• What material is required to shield beta particles effectively?

  Aluminum
• Beta particles are moderately ionizing and can strip some electrons from atoms
• Alpha particles are defined as helium nuclei with 2 protons and 2 neutrons.


  True
• What is the charge of an alpha particle?

  +2e
• The ionizing ability of alpha particles is considered high
• Match the radiation type with its penetrating power and shielding required:

  Alpha particles ↔️ Lowest, paper

  Beta particles ↔️ Moderate, aluminum

  Gamma rays ↔️ Highest, lead
• Alpha particles have low penetrating power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or skin.

  True
• The three main types of radioactive emissions are alpha, beta, and gamma
• Gamma rays have no mass.


  True
• Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from the nuclei of unstable atoms.
• Alpha particles can penetrate through aluminum.

  False
• Gamma rays require thick lead shielding to be stopped.


  True
• Alpha particles have the lowest penetrating power and are the most ionizing.
• Alpha particles can pass through human skin.

  False
• Beta particles can penetrate through paper but not aluminum.

  False
• Alpha particles have the lowest penetrating power but are the most ionizing.
• Alpha particles are highly ionizing, meaning they can strip electrons from atoms
• What are two applications of alpha particles?

  Smoke detectors, cancer therapies
• What type of material can stop alpha particles?

  Paper or skin
• Beta particles can penetrate thin sheets of aluminum