Properties of Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation

• What are the three types of radiation discussed?

  Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma radiation
• What does it mean for an isotope to be radioactive?

  Its nuclei decay and release radiation
• Why can we not predict when radioactive decay will happen?

  Because it is a random process
• How far can alpha particles travel in air before stopping?

  About 5 cm
• How far can beta particles travel in air before stopping?

  About 15 cm
• How far can gamma radiation travel in air before stopping?

  Several meters
• What is the penetrating power of alpha particles?

  Stopped by a single sheet of paper
• What is required to stop beta particles?

  A few millimeters of aluminum
• What material is needed to stop gamma radiation?

  Several centimeters of lead
• What does ionizing power refer to?

  Ability to cause atoms to lose electrons
• Which type of radiation is very strongly ionizing?

  Alpha particles
• How ionizing are beta particles compared to alpha particles?

  They are quite strongly ionizing but less than alpha
• How ionizing is gamma radiation?

  Weakly ionizing
• What are the key properties of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?

  • Range in air:
  • Alpha: ~5 cm
  • Beta: ~15 cm
  • Gamma: Several meters
  • Penetrating power:
  • Alpha: Stopped by paper
  • Beta: Stopped by aluminum
  • Gamma: Stopped by lead
  • Ionizing power:
  • Alpha: Very strong
  • Beta: Quite strong
  • Gamma: Weak