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Beta particles are a type of ionizing radiation, and for radiation protection purposes, they are regarded as being more ionising than gamma rays, but less ionising than alpha particles. The higher the ionising effect, the greater the damage to living tissue, but also the lower the penetrating power of the radiation through matter.
- Physical Forms of Radiation
- Radioactive Decay
- Nuclear Fission
- Ionizing Radiation
- Alpha Particles
- Beta Particles
- Gamma Rays and X-Rays
- Neutrons
As previously indicated, matter gives off energy (radiation) in two basic physical forms. One form of radiation is pure energy with no weight. This form of radiation — known as electromagnetic radiation — is like vibrating or pulsating rays or "waves" of electrical and magnetic energy. Familiar types of electromagnetic radiation include sunlight (c...
As previously indicated, large unstable atoms become more stable by emitting radiation to get rid of excess atomic energy (radioactivity). This radiation can be emitted in the form of positively charged alpha particles, negatively charged beta particles, gamma rays, or x-rays, as explained below. Through this process — called radioactive decay — ra...
In some elements, the nucleus can split as a result of absorbing an additional neutron, through a process called nuclear fission. Such elements are called fissile materials. One particularly notable fissile material is uranium-235. This is the isotope that is used as fuel in commercial nuclear power plants. When a nucleus fissions, it causes three ...
Radiation can be either ionizingor non-ionizing, depending on how it affects matter. Non-ionizing radiation includes visible light, heat, radar, microwaves, and radio waves. This type of radiation deposits energy in the materials through which it passes, but it does not have sufficient energy to break molecular bonds or remove electrons from atoms....
Alpha particlesare charged particles, which are emitted from naturally occurring materials (such as uranium, thorium, and radium) and man-made elements (such as plutonium and americium). These alpha emitters are primarily used (in very small amounts) in items such as smoke detectors. In general, alpha particles have a very limited ability to penetr...
Beta particles, which are similiar to electrons, are emitted from naturally occurring materials (such as strontium-90). Such beta emitters are used in medical applications, such as treating eye disease. In general, beta particles are lighter than alpha particles, and they generally have a greater ability to penetrate other materials. As a result, t...
Gamma rays and x-raysconsist of high-energy waves that can travel great distances at the speed of light and generally have a great ability to penetrate other materials. For that reason, gamma rays (such as from cobalt-60) are often used in medical applications to treat cancer and sterilize medical instruments. Similarly, x-rays are typically used t...
Neutrons are high-speed nuclear particles that have an exceptional ability to penetrate other materials. Of the five types of ionizing radiation discussed here, neutrons are the only one that can make objects radioactive. This process, called neutron activation, produces many of the radioactive sources that are used in medical, academic, and indust...
Dec 31, 2023 · When atoms decay, they emit three types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. The alpha and beta radiation consist of actual matter that shoots off the atom, while gamma rays are electromagnetic waves. All three kinds of radiation are potentially hazardous to living tissue, but some more than others, as will be explained later on. Properties of ...
Mar 19, 2020 · There are four major types of radiation: alpha, beta, neutrons, and electromagnetic waves such as gamma rays. They differ in mass, energy and how deeply they penetrate people and objects. The first is an alpha particle. These particles consist of two protons and two neutrons and are the heaviest type of radiation particle.
Sep 16, 2022 · Gamma rays may pass all the way through a human body without striking anything. They are considered to have the least ionizing power and the greatest penetration power. Table 17.3.1 17.3. 1. Comparison of Penetrating Power,Ionizing Power and Shielding of Alpha and Beta Particles, and Gamma Rays.
Figure 11.6.1 11.6. 1: The ability of different types of radiation to pass through material is shown. From least to most penetrating, they are alpha < beta < neutron < gamma. (CC BY-SA 4.0; OpenStax). Comparing only the three common types of ionizing radiation, alpha particles have the greatest mass. Because of the large mass of the alpha ...
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Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain fission fragments or certain primordial radioactive nuclei such as potassium-40. The beta particles are a form of ionizing radiation, also known as beta rays. The production of beta particles is termed beta decay. There are two forms of beta decay, electron ...
