Radioactivity

• What are the 3 types of radiation made from?

  Alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
• What blocks alpha radiation?

  Paper
• What blocks beta radiation?

  Aluminum
• What blocks gamma radiation?

  Lead
• What radiation is the most penetrating?

  Gamma radiation
• What radiation is the least penetrating?

  Alpha
• What radiation is moderately penetrating?

  Beta radiation
• What radiation is the most ionising?

  Alpha
• What radiation is least ionising?

  Gamma
• What radiation is moderately ionising?

  Beta particles
• What is ionisation?

  The process of converting an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing electrons.
• What is half-life?

  Time required for a quantity (of substance) to reduce to half of its initial value.
• What is background radiation?

  Radiation that is present in the environment from natural and man-made sources.
• What is contamination?

  The presence of unwanted or harmful substances in an environment or a product.
• What is irradiation?

  Exposure to ionizing radiation.
• What is an example of background radiation?

  Cosmic rays (Sun)