Questions and Answers
What is alpha radiation?
A heavy, very short-range particle
What happens if alpha-emitting materials enter the human body?
They can cause harm to humans
Why are special instruments needed to measure alpha radiation?
Because special training is required to use the instruments
What is a characteristic of alpha radiation?
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What can detect the presence of alpha radiation?
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What is not able to penetrate?
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Study Notes
Types of Radiation
- There are four major types of radiation: alpha, beta, neutrons, and electromagnetic waves such as gamma rays.
Alpha Radiation
- Alpha radiation is a heavy, very short-range particle, and is actually an ejected helium nucleus.
- Most alpha radiation is not able to penetrate human skin.
- Alpha-emitting materials can be harmful to humans if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through open wounds.
- Special training is essential for accurate measurements using instruments designed to measure alpha radiation.
- A thin-window Geiger-Mueller (GM) probe can detect the presence of alpha radiation.
- Alpha radiation is not penetrating and cannot be detected through even a thin layer of water, dust, paper, or other material.
- Alpha radiation travels only a short distance (a few inches) in air, but is not an external hazard.
- Alpha radiation is not able to penetrate clothing.
- Examples of alpha emitters: radium, radon, uranium, thorium.
