P6- Radiation

TYPES OF RADIATION

ALPHA RADIATION

• Alpha particles are relatively big and heavy
• DONT PENETRATE far into materials
• Released by HEAVY NUCLEI 
• Alpha particle is a helium nucleus (2 protons/2 neutrons)
• Mass of 4 and a charge of 2+
• Alpha decay ALWAYS changes the element of the atom thats decaying (loses protons)
• Blocked by paper//skin
• 

BETA RADIATION

• Move FAST and are QUITE SMALL
• PENETRATE MODERATELY into materials
• Released by nuclei that have TOO MANY NEUTRONS
• Identical to electron (no mass, charge of -1)
• Neutron in nucleus turns into a PROTON so element chnages in BETA DECAY
• Blocked by thin aluminium//any metal
• 

GAMMA RADIATION

• Its an ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE
• Happens when an alpha or beta particle needs to get rid of EXTRA ENERGY
• No mass
• PENETRATES A LONG WAY into materials without stopping
• DOESNT CHANGE the elements becaue it's just energy
• Blocked by thin lead//thick concrete