4.2.3
Types of Radioactive Emission
The 3 Kinds of Ionising Emissions
The 3 Kinds of Ionising Emissions
Alpha, beta and gamma radiation all have different properties.
Alpha radiation
Alpha radiation
- Each alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons.
- Because of this, alpha particles have a relative mass of 4.
- Because the particles are big and heavy, alpha radiation is strongly ionising.
- It does a lot of damage but is stopped by a small amount of matter (like paper).
Beta radiation
Beta radiation
- Beta radiation is made up of high-energy electrons.
- Beta radiation is more ionising than gamma radiation but less ionising than alpha radiation.
- It can pass through paper but is stopped by aluminium foil.
Gamma radiation
Gamma radiation
- Gamma radiation is weakly ionising.
- It does less damage than beta or alpha radiation, but it is stopped only by centimetres of lead or meters of concrete.
Ionising vs Penetration
Ionising vs Penetration
More strongly ionising radiation is less able to penetrate materials. It interacts with (damages) materials much more, so it comes to a stop sooner.
Alpha radiation
Alpha radiation
- Alpha radiation is like a bull running into a hedge.
- It does lots of damage to the hedge but doesn’t get through very far.
Beta radiation
Beta radiation
- Beta radiation is somewhere between the other two (alpha & gamma), like a cat running through the hedge.
Gamma radiation
Gamma radiation
- Gamma radiation is like a bird flying into the hedge.
- It can dodge between the branches for a while, but will eventually get stuck.
Practical Applications of Radiation
Practical Applications of Radiation
We can use alpha, beta, and gamma radiation for many practical purposes:
Smoke detectors - alpha radiation
Smoke detectors - alpha radiation
- A radioactive material fires alpha particles at a smoke detector.
- If there is smoke between the radioactive material and the smoke detector, then fewer alpha particles will reach the detector.
- This will set off the smoke alarm.
Paper production - beta radiation
Paper production - beta radiation
- We can fire beta particles through paper in a factory to make sure that the paper being produced is the right thickness.
- If the thickness of the paper changes, greater or fewer beta particles will reach the detector. Production can then be stopped.
Exploring internal organs - gamma radiation
Exploring internal organs - gamma radiation
- If we put a gamma-emitting isotope into a patient’s body, we can trace (follow) the radiation’s movement around the body.
- Gamma radiation is the most penetrating type of radiation. This means it can pass through objects more easily than alpha or beta radiation. This means gamma can leave the body without creating too much damage (ionisation).
- Gamma radiation also has a short half-life. This means that the radiation vanishes quickly.
Sterilisation - gamma radiation
Sterilisation - gamma radiation
- We can use gamma radiation to sterilise medical equipment in hospitals. Sterilisation kills bacteria and viruses.
1Energy
1.1Energy Changes
1.1.1Energy Stores
1.1.2Calculating Changes in Energy
1.1.3Changes in Kinetic Energy - Calculations
1.1.4Changes in GPE - Calculations
1.1.5Changes in EPE - Calculations
1.1.6Energy Transfers
1.1.7Mechanical Work Done
1.1.8Mechanical Work - Calculations
1.1.9Electrical Work Done
1.1.10Electrical Work Done- Calculations
1.2Energy Losses & Efficiency
2Electricity
2.1Electric Charge
2.2Resistance & Electrical Work
2.3Electric Circuits
2.4Electricity in Homes
2.5Static Electricity
3Particle Model of Matter
3.1States of Matter
3.2Heat
4Atoms & Radiation
4.1Atoms
4.2Radiation
4.2.1Radioactive Decay
4.2.2Radioactive Decay 2
4.2.3Types of Radioactive Emission
4.2.4Fission & Fusion
4.2.5Radioactive Decay Equations
4.2.6Radio. decay equations - Calculations
4.2.7Half Lives & Ionising Radiation
4.2.8Half Life - Calculations
4.2.9Uses & Dangers of Radiation
4.2.10Uses & Dangers of Radiation 2
4.2.11End of Topic Test - Atoms & Radiation
4.2.12Grade 9 - Radiation
4.2.13Exam-Style Questions - Radioactive Decay
5Forces
5.1Basics of Motion
5.2Forces
5.2.1Gravity
5.2.2Gravity - Calculations
5.2.3Resultant Forces
5.2.4Newton Second Law - Calculations
5.2.5Force Diagrams
5.2.6Free Body Diagrams - Calculations
5.2.7Stretching a Spring
5.2.8Hooke's Law
5.2.9Hooke's Law - Calculations
5.2.10Elastic Potential Energy
5.2.11Elastic Potential - Calculations
5.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Elastic Potential Energy
5.3Effects of Forces
6Waves
6.1Wave Basics
6.2Waves at a Boundary
6.3Sound Waves
6.4Electromagnetic Waves
7Magnetism
7.1Magnetism Basics
7.2Electromagnetism
Jump to other topics
1Energy
1.1Energy Changes
1.1.1Energy Stores
1.1.2Calculating Changes in Energy
1.1.3Changes in Kinetic Energy - Calculations
1.1.4Changes in GPE - Calculations
1.1.5Changes in EPE - Calculations
1.1.6Energy Transfers
1.1.7Mechanical Work Done
1.1.8Mechanical Work - Calculations
1.1.9Electrical Work Done
1.1.10Electrical Work Done- Calculations
1.2Energy Losses & Efficiency
2Electricity
2.1Electric Charge
2.2Resistance & Electrical Work
2.3Electric Circuits
2.4Electricity in Homes
2.5Static Electricity
3Particle Model of Matter
3.1States of Matter
3.2Heat
4Atoms & Radiation
4.1Atoms
4.2Radiation
4.2.1Radioactive Decay
4.2.2Radioactive Decay 2
4.2.3Types of Radioactive Emission
4.2.4Fission & Fusion
4.2.5Radioactive Decay Equations
4.2.6Radio. decay equations - Calculations
4.2.7Half Lives & Ionising Radiation
4.2.8Half Life - Calculations
4.2.9Uses & Dangers of Radiation
4.2.10Uses & Dangers of Radiation 2
4.2.11End of Topic Test - Atoms & Radiation
4.2.12Grade 9 - Radiation
4.2.13Exam-Style Questions - Radioactive Decay
5Forces
5.1Basics of Motion
5.2Forces
5.2.1Gravity
5.2.2Gravity - Calculations
5.2.3Resultant Forces
5.2.4Newton Second Law - Calculations
5.2.5Force Diagrams
5.2.6Free Body Diagrams - Calculations
5.2.7Stretching a Spring
5.2.8Hooke's Law
5.2.9Hooke's Law - Calculations
5.2.10Elastic Potential Energy
5.2.11Elastic Potential - Calculations
5.2.12Exam-Style Questions - Elastic Potential Energy
5.3Effects of Forces
6Waves
6.1Wave Basics
6.2Waves at a Boundary
6.3Sound Waves
6.4Electromagnetic Waves
7Magnetism
7.1Magnetism Basics
7.2Electromagnetism
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered