Chemistry Standard 11e

Standard 11e:Students know alpha, beta, and gamma radiation produce different amounts and kinds of damage in matter and have different penetrations

So there are three types of radiation ALPHA, BETA, and GAMMA
Information about the types of radiation

Alpha Radiation:
a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits analpha particle, and thereby transforms (or 'decays') into an atom with a mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less.


sign: α

Their Damage:
*Alpha radiation is not able to penetrate skin
*Alpha-emitting materials can be harmful to humans if they are inside the body,in your system.


Beta Radiation:
a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted.

In the example of electron emission, it is referred to as beta minus (β⁻),

In a positron, emission as beta plus (β+)



Sign: β

Their Damage:
*Beta radiation can have a bearable penetration but it you have too much it can be harmful
*Beta radiation can penetrate human skin to the "germinal layer," where new skin cells are produced

Gamma Radiation:
is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency (very short wavelength)

Also knows as Gamma rays



Sign: γ

Their Damage:
*Gamma radiation is able to travel many centimeters in human tissue and in the air as well.
*X-rays are like gamma rays as well.
They can too be a penetrating radiation.