Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Alpha, Beta, Gamma - Coggle Diagram
Alpha
What are they?
Alpha (α) is the largest particle. An alpha particle consists of two neutrons and two protons bound together. A He nucleus
-
Alpha particles have the greatest mass among the three types of radioactive emissions. The mass of an alpha particle is about 8000 times more than the mass of a beta particle
How ionising are they?
Alpha particles have the greatest mass, which implies that they have the greatest ionizing power. If an alpha particle somehow gets into the system through inhaling or swallowing, they become the most dangerous.
-
-
What are they used for?
Radiotherapy in cancer treatment uses alpha particles to kill the cancerous cells. Because of their low penetration power, they cannot damage the healthy cells surrounding the cancerous part.
Alpha particles are used in smoke detectors.
Alpha particles can also be used in radioisotopic thermoelectrics. These are systems using radioactive sources with long half-lives to produce electrical energy.
Beta
-
-
-
Common isotopes
technetium-99
lead-210
bismuth-214
thallium-206
Fluorine-18
(products of nuclear fission as well)
strontium-90/89
caesium-137
What are they used for?
Beta particles get used as tracers for medical imaging such as PET scans.
They also have therapeutic uses in bone and eye cancer treatment.
Sometimes, beta particles are used for quality control. Checking the thickness of paper, for instance.
Beta tracers are also used to investigate the amount of fertiliser reaching different parts of plants.
Gamma
What are they?
Gamma rays (γ) are not particles with a mass. They are a kind of electromagnetic radiation that is considerably higher in energy than x-rays.
As a form of energy, gamma rays have no size or mass.
Gamma rays are far more harmful to humans than x-rays. The charge of gamma rays, however, is neutral.
What are they used for?
Gamma rays are used to detect leaks in pipework.
The process of gamma radiation sterilisation can kill microorganisms, so it serves as an effective means of cleaning medical equipment.
As a form of electromagnetic radiation, gamma rays can be concentrated into beams that can kill cancerous cells. This procedure is known as gamma knife surgery.
Gamma radiation is also useful for astrophysical observation (allowing us to observe sources and areas of space concerning gamma radiation intensity), thickness monitoring in the industry (similar to beta radiation), and changing the visual appearance of precious stones.
-
-
-
-