properties of Alpha, Beta and gamma radiation

• Alpha particles

  Particles released during radioactive decay
• Alpha particles

  • Range in air: around 5 centimeters
  • 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 centimeters
  • Penetrating power: Stopped by a few millimeters of aluminium
  • Ionizing power: Quite strongly ionizing
• Gamma radiation


  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