IG Phy – Types of Nuclear Emission

A material is radioactive when some or all of the nuclei within it are unstable and release radiation to become stable.

Radioactive emissions are from the electrons of the atoms.

Background radiation comes mainly from radon gas in the air, rocks and buildings, food and cosmic rays.

Cosmic rays are energetic particles coming from outer space.

The count rate of a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube is expressed as the number of particles detected per unit time.

Alpha particles have a relative charge of +2 and are highly ionizing.

Beta particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper.

Gamma rays have no charge and can be stopped by lead or concrete.

Alpha particles are more penetrating than gamma rays.

Alpha particles can be deflected by electric and magnetic fields.

Gamma rays can be deflected by magnetic fields.

Beta particles travel slower than alpha particles but have higher kinetic energy.

Gamma rays cause the most ionization compared to alpha and beta particles.

Alpha particles can ionize a larger number of air molecules than beta particles.

The spontaneous decay of a nucleus is a random event and is not affected by external factors.