6/14/2023 0 Comments Alpha particles![]() ![]() Beta Particlesīeta (β) radiation involves two distinct processes, in which a neutron decays into a proton (or vice versa). Russian KGB defector Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in this manner, having been given a lethal dose of polonium-210. This means that although skin contact with alpha particles is relatively safe, ingesting large enough doses spells very bad news for your internal organs. Though they don’t travel far, their ionizing potential is the greatest. This means they don’t pass through materials easily, quickly dissipating the energy to surrounding matter. It might sound very quick (and it is!), but this is much slower than other forms of radiation.Īs mentioned, alpha particles are large and carry a 2+ charge. The kinetic energy that an alpha particle increases with the size of the parent nucleus, but this doesn’t usually exceed ~10% of the speed of light. This means they don’t travel that quickly. Now alpha particles, as you’ll see, are relatively large. U-238 alpha decay: I wouldn’t wait around if I were you We take a look at the forms of ionizing radiation below. They are ionizing because they possess high enough energy to ‘kick’ electrons out of other atoms and molecules, forming ions. ‘Ionizing radiation’ is the given term for any wave or particle with the potential to cause harm to our bodies. These radiation products include helium ions (alpha radiation), electrons and positrons (beta radiation), and photons (gamma radiation).Īs mentioned, radiation doesn’t have to be electromagnetic. These sources produce extremely high energy radiation, hence their notoriety for being harmful and dangerous. In fact, any wave or particle is radiation!īut when we hear the word ‘radiation’, our first thought goes to uranium and plutonium, among other radioactive substances. Sound waves, for example, are also a form of radiation. What might be surprising to you is that the term ‘radiation’ doesn’t just encompass photons of light. Radiation can take any form across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, most of which are invisible to the naked eye. Radio waves, microwaves, infrared and ultraviolet.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |