Alpha particles are relatively large and carry a double positive charge. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus. The production of alpha particles is termed alpha decay. Alpha ParticlesĪlpha particles are energetic nuclei of helium. Gamma rays can travel thousands of feet in the air and can easily pass through the human body. Since the gamma rays are in substance only very high-energy photons, they are very penetrating matter and are thus biologically hazardous. Gamma rays are high-energy photons with very short wavelengths and thus very high frequency. ![]() Gamma rays, also known as gamma radiation, refer to electromagnetic radiation (no rest mass, no charge) of very high energies. They can travel several meters but deposit less energy at any point along their paths than alpha particles. They are more penetrating than alpha particles, but thin aluminum metal can stop them. Beta particles (electrons) are much smaller than alpha particles. They travel only a few centimeters but deposit all their energies along their short paths.īeta radiation consists of free electrons or positrons at relativistic speeds, which are termed beta particles. They are not very penetrating, and a piece of paper can stop them. ![]() Alpha radiation consists of alpha particlesthat are energetic nuclei of helium.
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