Radioactivity

Radioactivity

- Radioactive particles come from the nucleus.

- Alpha particles

• have 2 protons and 2 neutrons
• a +2 charge
• 4 mass
• not very penetrating
• the best ioniser
• travels short distances
• soaks into our cells
• 20% the speed of light - slowest of 3
• 10cm of air or paper stops it

- Beta particles

• an electron from the nucleus
• -1 charge
• …