Properties of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Radiation

Introduction

• The video aims to describe the properties of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
• Key properties include:
  • Range in air
  • Penetrating power
  • Ionizing power
• Background:
  • Some isotopes are radioactive and release radiation.
  • Radiation release is a random process.
  • Three types of radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, gamma radiation.

Range in Air

• Alpha Particles:
  • Large size.
  • Travel approximately 5 cm in air before stopping due to collisions with air particles.
• Beta Particles:
  • Travel further than alpha particles.
  • Can reach around 15 cm in air before stopping.
• Gamma Radiation:
  • Travels several meters in air before stopping.

Penetrating Power

• Alpha Particles:
  • Easily stopped by a single sheet of paper.
• Beta Particles:
  • Require a few millimeters of aluminum to stop.
• Gamma Radiation:
  • Requires several centimeters of lead to stop.

Ionizing Power

• Ionizing power refers to the ability of radiation to cause atoms to lose electrons and form ions.
• Alpha Particles:
  • Very strongly ionizing; produce many ions when colliding with materials.
• Beta Particles:
  • Quite strongly ionizing, but less so than alpha particles.
• Gamma Radiation:
  • Only weakly ionizing.

Conclusion

• The video also provides a workbook with questions related to the properties of radiation.
• Link to the workbook provided for further practice.