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What are the three main types of nuclear radiation and how are they different from each other?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Alpha particles are identical to the helium-4 atom nucleus, i.e., 2 protons and 2 neutrons. They carry a charge of +2. Because of their mass, they can barely get thru a sheet of paper or human skin. They don't go far, but they are the most destructive.
Beta particles are essentially 'free range' electrons that have escaped from the nucleus of their parents. This type of decay occurs when a neutron in the parent becomes unstable and decays. Example: H-3 (at no 1 at wt 3) decays to He-3 (at no 2, at wt 3) The energy loss in the nucleus is transferred to an electron (aka, beta particle) and an antineutrino. The amount of energy transferred is a characteristic of the parent, unstable isotope. Betas can have sufficient energy to travel several feet in air. Because of their lack of mass and and smaller charge, they are not as destructive at close range as Alphas.
Gamma rays are extremely high energy electromagnetic rays.
Their parent nuclei are the products of other types of radioactivity (alpha and beta decay) or of some other nuclear process. They end up with more than their normal energy, which they dump by emitting gamma ray photons. Gamma rays are by far the most penetrating of the three major types of radiation and require the most shielding ... tons of Lead, feet of concrete, etc.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago- Alpha particle - fully ionized helium nucleus
- Beta particle - high energy free electrons
- Gamma ray - very high energy electromagnetic radiation
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What are the three kinds of nuclear radiation?
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