5.3.2

Relative Ionising Effects

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Relative Ionising Effects

Illustrative background for Alpha particlesIllustrative background for Alpha particles ?? "content

Alpha particles

  • They have moderate kinetic energy but a large mass, so they lose energy quickly in collisions.
  • Their +2 electric charge gives them a strong attraction to electrons, so they ionise atoms very easily.
Illustrative background for Beta particlesIllustrative background for Beta particles ?? "content

Beta particles

  • They are much lighter and faster than alphas, with higher kinetic energy per particle, but they transfer less energy in each collision.
  • Their –1 charge means they interact less strongly than alpha particles, so their ionising effect is weaker.
Illustrative background for Gamma raysIllustrative background for Gamma rays ?? "content

Gamma rays

  • They have no mass, so their energy is carried as electromagnetic waves, which are less likely to directly collide with electrons.
  • They have no charge, so they interact only weakly with matter, making them the least ionising of the three.

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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