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- Beta particles (β) are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei. Beta particles have greater penetration power than alpha particles but still less than gamma rays.
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Sep 16, 2022 · Learning Objectives. Compare qualitatively the ionizing and penetration power of alpha particles (α) (α) , beta particles (β) (β) , and gamma rays (γ) (γ) . Express the changes in the atomic number and mass number of a radioactive nuclei when an alpha, beta, or gamma particle is emitted.
- The Discovery of Radioactivity
With millions of cameras in use today, we do not think of it...
- Detecting Radioactivity
Alpha, beta and gamma radiation are broadly referred to as...
- The Discovery of Radioactivity
Being composed of charged particles, beta radiation is more strongly ionizing than gamma radiation. When passing through matter, a beta particle is decelerated by electromagnetic interactions and may give off bremsstrahlung X-rays.
- 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...
Beta particles are much smaller than alpha particles and therefore, have much less ionizing power (less ability to damage tissue), but their small size gives them much greater penetration power. Most resources say that beta particles can be stopped by a one-quarter inch thick sheet of aluminum.
Aug 3, 2022 · Beta particles are energetic electrons and positrons. They are much less massive than alpha particles, so they penetrate further, yet carry a negative electrical charge and readily interact with matter. A sheet of aluminum foil, block of wood, or plastic bottle stops beta radiation.
Beta radiation consists of electrons. They are more penetrating than alpha particles and can pass through 1-2 centimetres of water. In general, a sheet of aluminum a few millimetres thick will stop beta radiation. Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation similar to X-rays, light, and radio waves.
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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.
