Download Types of Radiation

TYPES OF RADIATION
ALPHA RADIATION
n
p
Paper
ALPHA RADIATION
Greek Letter: α
Representative Picture (labeled):
4
Symbol: 2𝐻𝑒
ALPHA RADIATION
Definition:
A positively charged particle that consists of two protons and two
neutrons bound together. It is emitted by an atomic nucleus
undergoing radioactive decay and is identical to the nucleus of a
helium atom. Because of their relatively large mass, alpha particles
are the slowest and least penetrating forms of nuclear radiation.
How does alpha radiation change an atom?
Since a helium nucleus is being emitting, it will drop the mass
number by four (2 p + 2 n) and the atomic number by two (2 p).
LEARNING CHECK: TRUE OR FALSE: ALPHA PARTICLES
CONSIST OF TWO PROTONS AND TWO NEUTRONS
A. True
B. False
BETA DECAY
Paper
Aluminum
BETA RADIATION
Greek Letter: β
Representative Picture (labeled):
0
Symbol: −1𝑒
e-
BETA RADIATION
Definition:
A high-speed electron or positron (positive electron), usually emitted by an
atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay is a beta particle. Beta
radiation occurs when a neutron decays into a proton and emits an electron.
Beta radiation also occurs when a proton decays into a neutron and emits a
positron. Beta particles have greater speed and penetrating power than
alpha particles but can be stopped by a sheet of aluminum.
How does beta radiation change an atom?
Since a proton and a neutron have the same relative mass, the mass number
of an atom will stay the same. The atomic number will increase by one when a
neutron decays and it will decrease by one when a proton decays.
LEARNING CHECK: THE MASS OF A BETA PARTICLE
IS…
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 4
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
Greek Letter: γ
Representative Picture (labeled):
0
Symbol: 0γ
GAMMA RADIATION
Definition:
A stream of high-energy electromagnetic radiation given off by an
atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay.
How does gamma radiation change an atom?
Gamma radiation does not change the nucleus but lowers the
energy of the atom to become more stable.
LEARNING CHECK: WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING
DOES NOT CHANGE THE NUCLEUS OF AN ATOM?
A. Alpha radiation
B. Beta radiation
C. Gamma radiation
D. All of the above