Ionising radiation Flashcards
What does nuclear radiation cause
ionisation
What are Alpha particles made up of
2 protons and 2 neutrons
What is a Beta particle
An electron which has been emitted from the nucleus of an atom when a neuron turns into a proton and an electron
What are Gamma rays
Just energy, no mass
How do Alpha particles penetrate into a material
Big heavy and slow moving so don’t penetrate far into a material as they are stopped quickly
How do Beta particles penetrate into a material
Move quite fast and are quite small, penetrate moderately before colliding
How do Gamma particles penetrate into a material
Penetrate a long way into a material without being stopped
How strongly ionising are Alpha particles?
Strongly ionising, bash into a lot of atoms
How strongly ionising are Beta particles?
Moderately ionising
How strongly ionising are Gamma rays?
Weakly ionising
What charge do Gamma rays have
No charge
What charge do Alpha particles have
Positive charge
What charge do Beta particles have
Negative charge
