P4 : Properties of Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation

Question 1

Radioactivity

Answer 1

Some isotopes are radioactive
Their nuclei decay and release radiation
This is a random process and we cannot predict when it will happen

Question 2

What are the three types of radiation

Answer 2

Alpha particles
Beta particles
Gamma radiation

Question 3

Range in air of alpha particles

Answer 3

Alpha particles are large, they can travel 5cm in air before they collide with air particles and stop

Question 4

Range in air of Beta particles

Answer 4

Beta particles can travel 15cm in air before stopping

Question 5

Range in air of gamma radiaition

Answer 5

Gamma radiation can travel several meters in the air before stopping

Question 6

Penetrating Power

Answer 6

Alpha particles can be stopped by a single sheet of paper
Beta particles are stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum
gamma radiation is stopped by several centimeters of lead

Question 7

Ionizing power

Answer 7

When radiation collides with atoms, that can cause the atoms to lose electrons and form ions
. Alpha particles are very strongly ionizing, they can produce a lot of ions when they collide with another material
. Beta particles are quite strongly ionizing but not as ionizing as Alpha particles
. Gamma radiation is weakly ionizing