Question

13. What are the 3 main types of radiation and what does each emit?

Answer 1

`\begin{gathered} a)\text{ Alpha Radiation (emits helium atom)} \\ b)\text{ Beta Particle (emits electron)} \\ c)\text{ Gamma Ray (has no charge, nor mass, are by-products of radiation)} \end{gathered}`

Step-by-step explanation:

The three main radiation types are:

a) Alpha particles

b) Beta Particles

c) Gamma rays

Alpha Particles

Alpha particles are essentially helium atoms. When radiated, the value 4 is subtracted from the parent's molecule mass number while the value 2 is subtracted from the parent's molecule atomic number. Due to their heaviness, they are less penetrative, compared to other radiation types. They are positively charged.

`\alpha^{\text{ }}particle=^4_2He`

Beta Particles

Beta particles are more energetic radiation emission with a charge equal to -1. They are negatively charged. They are high energetic electrons which can be represented generally as follows:

`\beta^{\text{ }}particle=^{_{}0_{}}_(-1)e`

They weigh much more less and have a higher penetrating power when compared to alpha particles

Gamma Rays

These are the lightest and are simply radiation by products. They have more penetrating power than both beta particles and alpha particles. They are neutrally charged. They have no charge nor mass:

`^0_0\gamma\text{ }`

They have low ionizing power