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Questions and Answers
What is the composition of alpha radiation?
What is the composition of alpha radiation?
Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?
Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?
What charge does beta-minus radiation carry?
What charge does beta-minus radiation carry?
Which uses are associated with alpha radiation?
Which uses are associated with alpha radiation?
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Which radiation type is generally harmless outside the body?
Which radiation type is generally harmless outside the body?
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What is the ionizing power of gamma radiation compared to alpha radiation?
What is the ionizing power of gamma radiation compared to alpha radiation?
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Which of the following sources is associated with beta radiation?
Which of the following sources is associated with beta radiation?
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Which characteristic best describes the mass of gamma radiation?
Which characteristic best describes the mass of gamma radiation?
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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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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of alpha and beta radiation, including their composition, penetrating power, and uses. Understand the differences and applications of these types of radiation in various fields, such as medical and environmental sciences.
