5.3.1

Three Types of Emission

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Three Types of Nuclear Emission

Alpha, beta and gamma radiation all have different properties.

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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).
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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.
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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 concrete.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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