Stable/radioactive isotopes + types of radiation
In a stable isotope nucleus, the protons and neutrons are in a low energy level and are unable to emit radioactivity.
Radioactive isotopes emit radiation as they spontaneously release energy – radioactive decay.
Types of radiation:
| Alpha particle (α) | Beta particle (β) | Gamma rays (γ) | |
| AKA | helium nucleus | electron | EMR |
| Charge | +2 | -1 | |
| Mass(AMU) | 4 | 5*10-4 | 0 |
| Penetration | low - skin/paper/5cm air | medium - 100cm air/5mm Al | high - 5cm lead/1m concrete |
| Deflection | magnetic/electric field | magnetic/electric field | |
| Ionising ability | high | low | very low |
| Speed | slow - 0.05c | varied up to 0.99c | c |
page revision: 0, last edited: 16 Apr 2011 06:42