alpha beta gamma

• alpha's composition consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
• beta's composition consists of one fast moving electron
• gamma's composition consists of an electromagnetic wave
• the relative mass of alpha is 4
• the relative mass of beta is almost 0 (1/2000)
• the relative mass of gamma is 0
• the relative charge of alpha is +2
• the relative charge of beta is -1
• the relative charge of gamma is also 0
• alpha doesn't penetrate much, only a few cm of air and can be stopped by paper
• beta is much smaller so it can move faster meaning it can move around 1m of air but stopped by aluminium
• gamma is very penetrable and can go on forever in air but can only be stopped by a very thick amount of lead or concrete
• alpha is very slow because it is heavy
• beta is a neutron which turns into protons and electrons to become neutral
• gamma has no charge or mass because it is a wave
• gamma follows an alpha or beta
• alpha beta and gamma are types of particle radiation The breaking of an atom produces alpha and beta particle radiation. The movement of electrical charges causes gamma radiation.
• What are isotopes?

  Different forms of an element with same protons
• How do isotopes differ from each other?

  They have different numbers of neutrons
• What does it mean for an isotope to be unstable?

  It can undergo radioactive decay
• What is radioactive decay?

  Emission of particles to become stable
• What does it mean if a material is radioactive?

  It consists of unstable isotopes
• What are the four types of nuclear radiation?

  • Alpha particles
  • Beta particles
  • Gamma rays
  • Neutrons
• What are alpha particles made of?

  Two protons and two neutrons
• How are alpha particles represented?

  With helium's nuclear symbol He
• What is the charge of alpha particles?

  Two plus
• Why can alpha particles not penetrate far into materials?

  They are relatively large and easily stopped
• How far can alpha particles travel in air?

  A few centimeters
• What can stop alpha particles?

  A single sheet of paper
• What does it mean for alpha particles to be strongly ionizing?

  They easily knock electrons off atoms
• What are beta particles?

  Electrons emitted from decaying neutrons
• What is the charge of beta particles?

  • 1
• How do beta particles differ from alpha particles in terms of mass?

  Beta particles have virtually no mass
• How are beta particles emitted?

  From a neutron decaying into a proton
• How far can beta particles penetrate materials?

  Several meters of air or 5 mm of aluminum
• What are gamma rays?

  Waves of electromagnetic radiation
• Why are gamma rays weakly ionizing?

  They pass straight through materials
• What can stop gamma rays?

  Thick sheets of lead or concrete
• What happens when a nucleus emits a neutron?

  It increases stability by reducing neutrons
• What are the key characteristics of the four types of nuclear radiation?

  • Alpha particles:
  • Made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
  • Stopped by paper
  • Strongly ionizing
  • Beta particles:
  • Electrons with charge -1
  • Stopped by aluminum
  • Moderately ionizing
  • Gamma rays:
  • Electromagnetic waves
  • Stopped by lead/concrete
  • Weakly ionizing
  • Neutrons:
  • Emitted to increase stability