7.2.3

Three Types of Emission

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The 3 Kinds of Ionising Emissions

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

1Forces & Motion

1.1Basics of Motion

1.2Forces

1.3Effects of Forces

1.4Stopping Distance

1.5Forces & Elasticity

2Electricity

3Waves

4Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5Solids, Liquids & Gases

6Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7Radioactivity & Particles

8Astrophysics

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