Types of Radiation

• Three types of nuclear radiation are:

  • Alpha
  • beta
  • gamma
• Alpha partices are:

  • 2 protons and 2 neutrons
  • a helium nucleus
  • heavier than beta particles
• Beta particles are:

  a fast moving electron

  lighter than alpha particles
• gamma rays are:

  • an electromagnetic wave
• Ionisation is when an atom loses or gains an electron and becomes a charged particle
• The most ionising radiation is alpha
• The least ionising radiation is beta
• Alpha is absorbed by:

  • a few mm paper
  • aluminium
  • lead
  • concrete
  • a few cm of air
• Beta is absorbed by:

  • a few mm of aluminium
  • lead
  • concrete
  • around 15cm of air
• Gamma is absorbed by:

  • a few cm of lead
  • a few meters of concrete
• alphas charge is +2
• Betas charge is -1
• gamma has no charge
• An atom is neutral when it has the same number of protons and electrons
• Activity is the number of nuclear decays per second