Types of Radiation Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is an alpha particle?

A helium nucleus – 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

What is a beta-minus ($\beta^-$) particle?

An electron emitted from the nucleus.

What is a positron ($\beta^+$)?

A positively charged particle with the same mass as an electron, emitted from the nucleus.

What is a gamma ray?

Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus; it has no mass and no charge.

What is neutron radiation?

A neutron emitted from an unstable nucleus.

True or false? Alpha, beta-minus, positron and gamma radiation are all ionising radiations.

True. Each can remove electrons from atoms it passes, forming ions.