P4: ALPHA, BETA AND GAMMA

Question 1

Alpha particles:
-structure?
-range in air?
-what is it stopped by?
-charge and ionisation?

Answer 1

-helium nucleus (2 protons 2 neutrons)
- a few cm (~8cm)
-skin/paper
-2+ charge
-highly ionising

Question 2

Beta particles:
-structure?
-range in air?
-what is it stopped by?
-charge and ionisation?

Answer 2

-electron
-a few m (~1m)
-thin sheet of aluminium
-1- charge
-moderately ionising

Question 3

Gamma rays:
-structure?
-range in air?
-what is it stopped by?
-charge and ionisation?

Answer 3

-electromagnetic wave
-several hundred m
-several m of lead/concrete
-no charge
-least ionising