Types of Radiation Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

What does an alpha particle consist of?

Two protons and two neutrons (the same as a helium nucleus).

What is a beta particle?

A high speed electron ejected from the nucleus as a neutron turns into a proton.

What is a gamma ray?

Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus.

What material stops alpha, beta and gamma radiation?

Alpha: a sheet of paper (or skin). Beta: a few mm of aluminium. Gamma: thick lead or concrete (only reduced).

What is the approximate range in air of alpha, beta and gamma radiation?

Alpha: a few cm. Beta: about a metre. Gamma: very long (many metres or more).

Put alpha, beta and gamma in order of ionising power, strongest first.

Alpha (most ionising), then beta, then gamma (least ionising).

True or false? Gamma radiation is the most ionising type of nuclear radiation.

False. Gamma is the least ionising but the most penetrating; alpha is the most ionising.