Radioactivity

Question 1

What are alpha particles?

Answer 1

Helium nuclei

Question 2

What are beta particles?

Answer 2

Electrons emitted from a nucleus

Question 3

What are gamma rays?

Answer 3

Form of electromagnetic radiation

Question 4

What are the helium nuclei (alpha) made of?

Answer 4

2 neutrons, 2 protons

Question 5

Are alpha and beta slow or fast moving particles?

Answer 5

Alpha - slow

Beta - fast

Question 6

Are alpha and beta positive or negative?

Answer 6

Alpha - strong positive

Beta - can be either

Question 7

Alpha radiation is extremely ionising. Why?

Answer 7

They have a big mass and a big charge so they are able to remove the electrons from a lot of atoms

Question 8

State two properties of gamma radiation

Answer 8

Weakly ionising

Can penetrate through a lot

Question 9

For every beta particle emitted, what happens in the nucleus?

Answer 9

A neutron becomes a proton

Question 10

Name the 3 types of radiation and what they can penetrate

Answer 10

Alpha - paper
Beta - aluminium
Gamma - lead