AQA A-Level Physics/Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation

< AQA A-Level Physics

α Radiation

Nature- 2 protons + 2 neutrons, equivalent to a helium nucleus
Range in air- Up to 100mm in air
Deflection in a magnetic field- Easily deflected
Absorption- Stopped by thin foil and paper
Ionisation- Strongly ionising
Energy of each particle- Constant for a given source

β Radiation

Nature- β- = electron; β+ = positron
Range in air- Up to 1 metre
Deflection in a magnetic field- Opposite direction to α particles,less deflected
Absorption- Stopped by approximately 5mm of aluminium
Ionisation- Less ionising than α
Energy of each particle- Varies up to a maximum

γ Radiation

Nature- Photon of energy
Range in air- Follows inverse square law
Deflection in a magnetic field- Not deflected
Absorption- Stopped by several centimetres of lead
Ionisation- Very weakly ionising
Energy of each particle- Constant for a given source

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