Question

A scientist working with Polonium-210 detects radiation when the nucleus decays. The radiation emitted has very little penetrating power and is deflected toward the negative terminal in a magnetic field. Which type of radiation is being emitted?

Answer
alpha
beta
gamma
positron

Answer 1

alpha

Step-by-step explanation:

As unstable nuclei breaks into some other nuclei in order to attain stability. We will have three type of nuclei decay as following

1). Alpha Decay = it is positively charged high speed helium nuclei which will have energy in form of kinetic energy. Since these are heavy nuclei so penetration power of them is small and they are positively charged

2) Beta Decay = In this type of decay we will have negatively charged electrons released by the unstable nuclei and they move with high energy as they are of lesser mass. Penetration power of beta is more than alpha

3) Gamma Decay = It is neutral and massless photons which contains high energy. Penetration power of gamma is highest among all.

So here as we know that radiation particle is deflected towards negative terminal so it must be a positive particle so here correct answer must be

alpha

Answer 2

The correct answer would be the first option. Based on the given description above, the type of radiation that is being emitted is ALPHA RADIATION. Alpha radiation is the type of radiation having the lowest penetrative power. Take note that Gamma is stronger than Beta is stronger than Alpha. Hope this answer helps. Have a great day!