atomic physics - three types of raditation

Question 1

what are the three types of radiation (symbols too)

Answer 1

alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ)

Question 2

alpha:
what it’s made of
mass
charge
speed
range in air
penetration
ionisation

Answer 2

what it’s made of: helium nucleus -> 2 protons and 2 neutrons
mass: 4
charge: +2
speed: 0.1 x the speed of light
range in air: up to 6cm
penetration: stopped by paper
ionisation: highly ionising (more than β and γ)

Question 3

beta:
what it’s made of
mass
charge
speed
range in air
penetration
ionisation

Answer 3

what it’s made of: electrons -> emitted from the nucleus
mass: 1/2000
charge: -1
speed: 0.9 x the speed of light
range in air: up to 50cm
penetration: stopped by 2-3mm of aluminium
ionisation: medium ionising (between α and γ)

Question 4

gamma:
what it’s made of
mass
charge
speed
range in air
penetration
ionisation

Answer 4

what it’s made of: electromagnetic wave
mass: none
charge: none
speed: speed of light
range in air: almost infinite
penetration: stopped by several cm of lead
ionisation: low ionising (below α and β)

Question 5

explain alpha decay

Answer 5

when an isotope decays from alpha emission, an alpha particle is lost from the nucleus - two protons and two neutrons are lost and energy is released

mass number decreases by 4
atomic number decreases by 2

Question 6

explain beta decay

Answer 6

when beta decay occurs, a neutron splits into two smaller particles - a proton and an electron. the proton remains in the nucleus and the electron (beta particle) is released with energy

mass number does not change
atomic number increases by 1

Question 7

explain gamma decay

Answer 7

isotopes that emit gamma radiation just emit energy since the gamma ray has no mass or charge

the mass number does not change
the atomic number does not change

Question 8

beta, gamma, and alpha interactions with magnetic fields

Answer 8

beta is repelled in the opposite direction to alpha (opposite charge) but by a greater amount (less mass)
uncharged gamma rays are unaffected

Question 9

beta, gamma, and alpha interactions with electric fields

Answer 9

negatively charged beta particles are attracted to the positive terminal (smaller charge so less attraction)
positively charged alpha particles are attracted to the negative terminal
uncharged gamma rays are unaffected