Ionising vs Penetration
Physics: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 7.2.4
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 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 is somewhere between the other two (alpha & gamma), like a cat running through the hedge.
Gamma radiation
- Gamma radiation is like a sparrow flying into the hedge.
- It can dodge between the branches for a while, but will eventually get stuck.
Test yourself on Ionising vs Penetration
Which of the following are true of penetration and ionisation?
Types of Emission
Types of Emisison
Which is the most penetrating type of radiation?