Alpha anf beta particles are two kinds of ionizing radiation. Their ionizing effect on materials and human tissues depends on their energies.
Alpha scattering equipment refers to devices used to study the deflection and scattering of alpha particles when they collide with a target material. This equipment typically includes a particle accelerator to generate alpha particles, a target material to interact with the particles, and detectors to measure the deflection angles and energies of the scattered particles. Examples of alpha scattering equipment include alpha spectrometers and Rutherford scattering apparatus.
Alpha particles can pass through very few materials. The spacing between nuclei of the material would have to be enormous for an alpha particle to pass through. The passage of alpha particles simply depends on the density of the material.
Alpha particles can be absorbed by water.
Alpha particles are most commonly found when alpha decay occurs. An alpha particle is emitted during alpha decay. Further information about alpha particles can be found on the Wikipedia website.
The three types of natural radioactivity are alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Gamma rays are the most energetic, and the hardest to shield against as they do not readily interact with shielding material. Alpha and beta radiation are actually particles. The beta particle is an electron that has been released. Because of its mass, it more readily reacts with shielding material, and so cannot penetrate as far. Alpha particles are the largest and consist of two neutrons and two protons. Shielding is most effective against alpha particles. Your outer layer of dead skin or a T-shirt is generally enough to protect against alpha particles. However, this effectiveness of shielding does not mean that gamma is always the most harmful and alpha the least. The high effectiveness of shielding on alpha particles is due to the fact that they most readily react with the shield (i.e. damage it). This means that if the alpha particle is able to come in contact with living tissue (like the ingestion of radioactive liquids) it will do far more damage than a beta particle or gamma ray.
Gamma radiation
Alpha radiation consists of positively charged particles called alpha particles, which are essentially helium nuclei consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Alpha radiation is relatively low in penetrating power and can be stopped by a piece of paper or skin. However, it can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested.
Lead That's why they use Lead Shielding for radiation
Smoke detectors use a small amount of radioactive material (usually americium-241) to emit alpha particles. When smoke enters the detector, it scatters the alpha particles, disrupting the electric current within the detector and setting off the alarm.
Alpha particles exhibit a definite range in matter because they are relatively heavy and charged helium nuclei that interact strongly with the surrounding material through electromagnetic forces. As they travel through matter, the alpha particles lose energy by ionizing atoms and causing excitation, leading to collisions that eventually slow them down and stop them. This process gives rise to a specific range that alpha particles can penetrate before their energy is dissipated.
The strong nuclear force between protons and neutrons in the nucleus stops alpha decay. When the force is stronger than the electrostatic force repelling the alpha particle, the alpha decay process is inhibited.
A Geiger counter, also called a Geiger-Müller counter, is a type of particle detector that measures ionizing radiation. They detect the emission of nuclear radiation: alpha particles, beta particles or gamma rays. A Geiger counter detects radiation by ionization produced in a low-pressure gas in a Geiger-Müller tube