3 Types of Radioactive Emission

3 Types of Radioactive Emission

Alpha Particle

• carries positive charge.
• most strongly ionizing of the nuclear radiations. 
• least penetrating. Range in air is only a few centimetres, and can be stopped by a thick sheet of paper.

Beta Particle

• carry a negative charge. 
• much less ionizing than alpha emission.
• more penetrating than alpha emission..
• have a range of a metre or so in air,
• can be stopped by a few millimetres of Perspex or aluminium.

Gamma Radiation

• often emitted at the same time as an alpha or beta particle.
• least ionizing of the nuclear radiations, 
• most penetrating.
• their intensity is greatly reduced by several centimetres of lead, but they are never completely absorbed.