Radiation

• What is the definition of a radioactive isotope?

  A radioactive isotope has different numbers of neutrons
• How is a radioactive isotope characterized?

  By its number of neutrons
• What is the charge of an alpha particle?

  +2 charge
• What does an alpha particle consist of?

  2 protons and 2 neutrons
• How does an alpha particle compare to a helium nucleus?

  It is the same as a helium nucleus
• Why can't alpha particles penetrate materials effectively?

  They have relatively large mass and charge
• What happens to alpha particles when they collide with atoms?

  They can easily knock electrons off atoms
• What is the least penetrating type of radiation?

  Alpha radiation
• What is beta radiation composed of?

  A beta particle is an electron
• What is the charge of a beta particle?

  -1 charge
• How are beta particles emitted from an atom?

  When a neutron decays into a proton
• How does beta radiation interact with matter compared to alpha radiation?

  Beta radiation penetrates more than alpha radiation
• What is the charge of a gamma particle?

  0 charge
• What type of radiation is gamma radiation?

  Electromagnetic radiation
• How does gamma radiation compare in penetration to alpha and beta radiation?

  Gamma radiation penetrates the most
• What is a common use of gamma radiation?

  Medical imaging and cancer treatment
• What is the effect of distance on radiation penetration?

  Distance reduces radiation intensity
• How do different materials affect radiation penetration?

  Dense materials block more radiation
• What are the types of radiation and their characteristics?

  • Alpha radiation:
  • Composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
  • +2 charge
  • Least penetrating
  • Beta radiation:
  • Composed of electrons
  • -1 charge
  • More penetrating than alpha
  • Gamma radiation:
  • Electromagnetic radiation
  • 0 charge
  • Most penetrating
• What is the effect of alpha particles on atoms they collide with?

  They can knock electrons off atoms
• What happens to electrons during radioactive decay?

  Electrons are emitted from the atom
• How does the speed of emitted electrons compare to protons in radioactive decay?

  Electrons are emitted at high speed
• What is the primary characteristic of weakly ionizing radiation?

  It has less interaction with matter
• How does the penetration ability of weakly ionizing radiation compare to strongly ionizing radiation?

  Weakly ionizing radiation penetrates more
• What is the relationship between radiation type and its ionizing ability?

  Strongly ionizing radiation has less penetration