properties of alpha beta and gamma radiation

• Alpha particles


  Particles released during radioactive decay
• Alpha particles


  • Range in air: around 5 cm
  • Penetrating power: stopped by a single sheet of paper
  • Ionizing power: very strongly ionizing
• Beta particles


  Particles released during radioactive decay
• Beta particles


  • Range in air: around 15 cm
  • Penetrating power: stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum
  • Ionizing power: quite strongly ionizing
• Gamma radiation


  Electromagnetic radiation released during radioactive decay
• Gamma radiation


  • Range in air: several meters
  • Penetrating power: stopped by several centimeters of lead
  • Ionizing power: weakly ionizing
• Radiation colliding with atoms can cause the atoms to lose electrons and form ions
• Ions are atoms with a charge