gcse physics radiation Flashcards
what is alpha radiation made of?
2 protons and 2 neutrons
what do alpha particles have the same structure as?
a helium nucleus
what is an alpha particles positive charge?
2+
how ionising are alpha particles?
strongly ionising
what is the size of an atom?
1x10 to the power of 10 meters
what is the range of an alpha particle?
only a few centremeters
what can stop alpha particles?
paper
can alpha particles pass through skin?
nope
what is a beta particle ?
it is an electron emmitted from the nucleus
what is a beta particles charge?
it has a charge of -1
what is a beta particles range?
it has a range of a few meters
what can stop beta particles?
thin aluminium can stop it
is a beta particle ionising?
it is weakly ionising
what is a positron?
a positive electron is emmited from the nucleus
what is a positrons charge?
it has a +1 charge
what does a positron do?
it completely annihilates immediately because positron is a type of antimatter
what are gamma rays?
they are waves on the electromagnetic spectrum from the nucleus
how fast do gamma rays travel?
they travel at the speed of light
what is the charge and mass of gamma rays?
they have zero charge and zero mass
how ionising are gamma rays?
they are very weakly ionising
what are gamma waves range like?
they have a very long range in air
what can stop gamma rays?
thick lead or several meters of concrete
what is the most penatrating form of ion?
gamma
