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Questions and Answers
What is the composition of alpha radiation?
What is the composition of alpha radiation?
- 2 protons and 2 neutrons (correct)
- 2 protons and 2 electrons
- 1 proton and 1 neutron
- 1 proton and 1 electron
Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?
Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?
- Neutron radiation
- Alpha radiation
- Gamma radiation (correct)
- Beta radiation
What charge does beta-minus radiation carry?
What charge does beta-minus radiation carry?
- Negative charge (correct)
- Double positive charge
- Positive charge
- No charge
Which uses are associated with alpha radiation?
Which uses are associated with alpha radiation?
Which radiation type is generally harmless outside the body?
Which radiation type is generally harmless outside the body?
What is the ionizing power of gamma radiation compared to alpha radiation?
What is the ionizing power of gamma radiation compared to alpha radiation?
Which of the following sources is associated with beta radiation?
Which of the following sources is associated with beta radiation?
Which characteristic best describes the mass of gamma radiation?
Which characteristic best describes the mass of gamma radiation?
Flashcards
Alpha radiation composition
Alpha radiation composition
Consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, essentially a helium nucleus.
Beta radiation composition
Beta radiation composition
Consists of an electron (beta-) or positron (beta+), formed from a neutron's decay.
Gamma radiation composition
Gamma radiation composition
High-energy electromagnetic radiation, photons, no mass or charge.
Alpha radiation penetration
Alpha radiation penetration
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Beta radiation penetration
Beta radiation penetration
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Gamma radiation penetration
Gamma radiation penetration
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Alpha radiation charge
Alpha radiation charge
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Beta radiation charge
Beta radiation charge
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Study Notes
Alpha Radiation
- Composition: 2 protons and 2 neutrons (a helium nucleus)
- Penetrating Power: Low; stopped by paper or skin
- Charge: +2
- Speed: Slow
- Ionizing Power: High
- Mass: 4 atomic mass units
- Uses: Smoke detectors, cancer radiotherapy, tracer studies
- Hazards: Harmless externally, dangerous if inhaled or ingested
- Source: Radon, uranium, polonium
- Magnetic Field Interaction: Deflected, opposite direction to beta
- Decay Type: Alpha decay
- Discovery: Ernest Rutherford (1899)
Beta Radiation
- Composition: Electron (beta minus, e⁻) or positron (beta plus)
- Penetrating Power: Moderate; stopped by aluminum or plastic
- Charge: -1 (beta minus), +1 (beta plus)
- Speed: Faster than alpha, slower than gamma
- Ionizing Power: Moderate
- Mass: Nearly 0 atomic mass units
- Uses: Thickness gauges, cancer radiotherapy, carbon dating
- Hazards: Can penetrate skin, damage tissue on contact
- Source: Carbon-14, strontium-90
- Magnetic Field Interaction: Deflected, opposite direction to alpha
- Decay Type: Beta decay
- Discovery: Ernest Rutherford (1899)
Gamma Radiation
- Composition: High-energy electromagnetic wave (photon)
- Penetrating Power: Very high; stopped by thick lead or concrete
- Charge: Neutral
- Speed: Speed of light
- Ionizing Power: Low
- Mass: Massless
- Uses: Sterilizing equipment, cancer treatment, industrial radiography
- Hazards: High risk even from a distance, penetrates body, damages organs
- Source: Cobalt-60, cesium-137
- Magnetic Field Interaction: Not deflected
- Decay Type: Gamma decay
- Discovery: Paul Villard (1900)
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