Radiation Properties

Radiation Properties

1. There are 3 types of ionising radiation emitted from the nucleus of radioactive atoms. These are Beta, Alpha and Gamma radiation

2. Alpha Radiation

   • Alpha radiation consists of alpha particles.
   • Alpha radiation is the least penetrating and can be absorbed by a human hand.

3. Beta radiation

   • Beta radiation consists of high energy electrons emitted from the nucleus.
   • Beta particles can penetrate air and paper. it can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium.

4. Gamma Radiation

   • Gamma radiation is a very short wavelength and a high frequency electromagnetic radiation
   • Gamma radiation is the most penetrating. Even small levels of radiation can penetrate air, paper and sheets of metals. Higher levels can only be stopped by centimetres of lead, or many meters of concreate.

5. Radiation can be absorbed my different materials. For example alpha particles travels only a few centimetres in the air. Beta radiation travels tens of centimetres in the air. Gamma particles travels very large distances