Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation
Bookmark this page

a Alpha rays (or particles) helium nuclei  – ⁴₂ He

·      Big and heavy (slow moving)

·      Don’t penetrate into materials

·      Very ionising

·      Blocked by paper

bBeta rays (or particles) high-energy electrons – _-1⁰ e

Quite small, move quite fast

·      Penetrate materials moderately

·      Ionise moderately

·      (for every beta particle emitted, a neutron turns into a proton in the nucleus)

·      Blocked by thin Aluminium

c Gamma rays, electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelength (higher frequency) than x-rays

·      Opposite to alpha

·      Penetrate materials well

·      Weakly ionising

·      When hit something do damage

·     Blocked by thick lead

Other Notes in this Category

1. Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation
2. Radioactivity, half life e.t.c

Didn't find this useful?

• Visit Coursework.Info for over 14,000 GCSE, A-Level and University Essays