Types of radiation Flashcards
types of radiation
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Two types of Beta radiation
Beta minus
Beta plus
How is Beta- radiation caused
too many neutrons. Neutron decays into a proton and an electron, therefore the proton number increases by 1 because there is one more proton
How is Beta+ radiation caused
too few neutrons. Proton decays into a neutron and a positron, therefore increasing the atomic number decreases by 1 because it has one fewer proton.
Positron
positive electron
Ionisation
causes atom to gain or lose charge
Alpha radiation
two protons and two neutrons
Alpha ionisation info
charge of 2+,
only travels 2cm in air
Beta- radiation
1 electron, neutron turns into proton
Beta- ionisation info
charge fo 1-,
electrons shoot out because they aren’t meant to be in nucleus.
Can be blocked by a few mm of aluminium.
Gamma radiation
Type of electromagnetic wave
Gamma ionisation info
No charge, infinite range
