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Types of radiation (Gamma (Photons emitted from the nucleus, Often an atom…
Types of radiation
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Alpha
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Often, large atoms decay by emitting an alpha particle
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Unstable nuclei
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If an unstable nuclei has too many nucleons and is too heavy, the nuclei will emit alpha particles
The proton number decreases by two and the nucleon number decreases by four
If an unstable nuclei has too many neutrons (more neutrons than protons), a beta particle is emitted
One of the neutrons decays into a proton and a beta-minus particle (an electron) and an antineutrino
The proton number increases by one and the nucleon number stays the same
In beta-plus emission, a proton gets changed into a neutron releasing a positron and a neutrino
The proton number decreases by one and the nucleon number stays the same
If an unstable nuclei has too much energy, gamma rays are emitted from the nucleus
Beta
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Beta particles are found when a neutron decays into a proton - conservation of charge requires a negatively charged particle to be emitted
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Ionising ability
Alpha particles are strongly positive so they are very highly ionising. This means they pull electrons off atoms to make them ions. Energy is transferred from the alpha particle to the atoms so the alpha particle loses its energy very quickly and cannot travel far (penetration is low)
So the less ionising radiation is, the further it can penetrate