Radiation

Question 1

Alpha particles are ……

Answer 1

Alpha particles are HELIUM NUCLEI - made up of two neutrons and two protons.

Question 2

Beta particles are ……

Answer 2

Beta particles are HIGH SPEED ELECTRONS - released by a nucleus.

Question 3

Gamma rays are ……

Answer 3

Gamma rays are ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES with a SHORT WAVELENGTH - released by a nucleus.

Question 4

How far can alpha radiation penetrate?

Answer 4

Alpha particles can only travel through a few cm of air and are absorbed by a sheet of paper.

Question 5

How far can beta radiation penetrate?

Answer 5

Beta particles can travel through air for a few metres and are absorbed by a 5mm sheet of aluminium.

Question 6

How far can gamma radiation penetrate?

Answer 6

Gamma waves can travel a long distance through air are absorbed by thick sheets of lead or metres of concrete.

Question 7

How ionising are alpha particles?

Answer 7

Alpha particles are strongly ionising.

Question 8

How ionising are beta particles?

Answer 8

Beta particles are moderately ionising.

Question 9

How ionising are gamma waves?

Answer 9

Gamma waves are weakly ionising.