Types of radiation

• alpha (ά)


  a positively charged helium nucleus

  
• beta (β)


  an fast moving electron

  
• gamma (γ)


  pure energy; called a wave rather than a particle

  
• neutron


  a neutrally charged particle

  
• fission


  splitting of atoms

  
• fusion


  Combining atoms
• power plant

  
• half-life


  the time that it takes for 1/2 a sample to decompose
• geiger counter


  a device used to detect radioactive substances

  
• Alpha Penetrating Power


  Low penetrating power
• Beta penetrating power


  Medium penetrating power
• Gamma penetrating power


  High penetrating power
• Alpha ionising power


  High ionising power
• Beta ionising power


  Medium ionising power
• Gamma ionising power


  Low ionising power
• Factors which affect a radioactive particles penetrating and ionising power

  Charge and Mass
• Relationship between charge and ionising power

  Directly proportional - as charge increases, the ionising power increases.
• Relationship between charge and penetrating power

  Inversely proportional - as charge increases, the penetrating power decreases.