Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation

Question	Answer
What are the three types of radiation emitted during decay?	- Alpha α - Beta β - Gamma γ
What is the structure of an alpha particle?	2 protons + 2 neutrons
What is the charge and mass of an alpha particle?	- Charge = +2 - Mass = 4
Which element is an alpha particle the nucleus of?	Helium
What is the range in air of an alpha particle?	A few cm, will be stopped by skin or paper
What is a beta particle and how is it formed?	An electron ejected from the nucleus when a neutron breaks down into a proton and an electron
What is the charge and mass of a beta particle?	- Charge = -1 - Mass = 0 (negligible)
What is the range in air of a beta particle?	1 metre, will be stopped by a few mm of aluminium
What is a gamma ray?	En electromagnetic wave
What is the charge and mass of a gamma ray?	- Charge = 0 - Mass = 0
What is the range in air of a gamma ray?	Unlimited in air, will be stopped by a few feet of concrete
Define ionisation	Where nuclear radiation travels through a material and collides with the atoms, knocking electrons off and creating ions
Give the three types of radiation in order from most to least ionising	- Alpha - Beta - Gamma

Resource summary

	Created by Sarah Collinson over 8 years ago