Properties of Ionizing Radiations....

A Summary of the Properties of Ionizing Radiation

Type of radiation

• Alpha

Charge: +2

Mass(in atomic mass units): 4

Composition: 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Speed: slow

Relative Penetrating power/ability: low penetrating power

Relative Ionizing power: ionize other atoms strongly

• Beta

Charge: -1

Mass(in atomic mass unit): 1/2000th of a proton

Composition: fast moving electrons

Speed: fast

Relative Penetrating power/ability: medium penetrating power

relative Ionizing power: ionize atoms not stronger than alpha particles

• Gamma

Charge: none

Mass(in atomic mass units): none

Composition: they are waves, not particles....short wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation

Speed: very fast (speed of light)

Relative Penetrating power/ability: high penetrating power

Realtive Ionizing power: do not directly ionize atoms. they can cause other atoms to emit other particles which causes the ionisation.