0
Alpha particles have very little kinetic energy, and are fairly safely stopped by a few centimeters of air or something as thin as a sheet of paper. Of course, they can travel unimpeded through a vacuum.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAn alpha particle is released during nuclear decay (not to be confused with a nuclear reaction). It is basically just the nucleus of a helium atom (without the electrons).
Because these are actual particles, not photon particles, like gamma rays, they move pretty slow (when compared to other types of radiation) and can usually only travel through about a foot of air or a few layers of skin before stealing electrons and ionizing other particles.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoGases, for short distances. Almost anything liquid or solid stops alpha instantly.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is a description of alpha radiation?
Alpha radiation is used for people's smoke detectors.
Why are alpha particles so useful in smoke detectors?
Alpha particles are useful in smoke detectors because they are easily absorbed by smoke particles. When this happens, the flow of electrical current between the electrodes, said flow being comprised of alpha particles, is reduced and causes the alarm to activate.
A radioactive isotope is an isotope that?
radiates either alpha beta or gamma radiation, in order to go to a more stable state
How strong beta particles?
Beta particles are typically one of the weakest radiation (alpha has the most energy). Ranging from 15 KeV up to 2 MeV. But because it is so small (1/6400 the size of an alpha particle) it can penetrate through the air and the skin. A few layers of aluminum will stop it (while alpha will only go a few inches through air, or just to the first layer of the skin).
What do materials that move into and out of the cell go through?
No
What is a description of alpha radiation?
Alpha radiation is used for people's smoke detectors.
Is radiation the transfer of heat through a solid material?
Radiation can go through transparent materials, but it can also go through empty space. And it is not directly heat that is transferred; it is electromagnetic waves.Radiation can go through transparent materials, but it can also go through empty space. And it is not directly heat that is transferred; it is electromagnetic waves.Radiation can go through transparent materials, but it can also go through empty space. And it is not directly heat that is transferred; it is electromagnetic waves.Radiation can go through transparent materials, but it can also go through empty space. And it is not directly heat that is transferred; it is electromagnetic waves.
What use is alpha radiation?
It is used in smoke detectors as it cannot travel far in air. Alpha radiation is emitted and as long as the detector in the device is receiving the alpha radiation, then no smoke is present. When smoke particles are present, they interrupt the radiation, and so the detector doesn't pick up the radiation, causing the alarm to go off.
What form of electromagnetic radiation passes through skin but not bone?
Alpha radiation, it's force is too weak to even penetrate the outer layer of dead skin. Beta and Gamma radiation can pass through, Beta has trouble passing through clothes whereas Gamma is able to go straight through the body.
Why are alpha particles so useful in smoke detectors?
Alpha particles are useful in smoke detectors because they are easily absorbed by smoke particles. When this happens, the flow of electrical current between the electrodes, said flow being comprised of alpha particles, is reduced and causes the alarm to activate.
Which type of ionising radiation is stopped from entering the body by the layer of dead skin at the surface?
Alpha particles (Helium nuclei) as well as any other large radiation by products. Smaller particles go right through you-> gamma rays, x-rays, etc.
What can radiation do through a empty space?
because radiation is nothing but electromagnetic waves and those waves can go through anything.
A radioactive isotope is an isotope that?
radiates either alpha beta or gamma radiation, in order to go to a more stable state
How strong are beta particles?
Beta particles are typically one of the weakest radiation (alpha has the most energy). Ranging from 15 KeV up to 2 MeV. But because it is so small (1/6400 the size of an alpha particle) it can penetrate through the air and the skin. A few layers of aluminum will stop it (while alpha will only go a few inches through air, or just to the first layer of the skin).
How strong beta particles?
Beta particles are typically one of the weakest radiation (alpha has the most energy). Ranging from 15 KeV up to 2 MeV. But because it is so small (1/6400 the size of an alpha particle) it can penetrate through the air and the skin. A few layers of aluminum will stop it (while alpha will only go a few inches through air, or just to the first layer of the skin).
The type of radioactive particle that can be stopped by a sheet of paper is the what?
There are different kinds of radiation and different kinds of paper. For the electromagnetic radiation, every material has "transparency windows". Sunlight is the electromagnetic radiation, too. As you can tell, some paper is transparent to it and some not. If we consider the particles radiation, then the particles nature and energy play major roles. Some heavy particles with low energy can be scattered by even relatively light obstacles. Whereas such particles as neutrino easily go through the entire Earth. alpha particles can be stopped by thin objects such as paper. beta particles can be stopped by thicker objects suck as plastic or aluminum foil gamma radiation can be stopped by several feet thick of concrete and/or lead
What do materials that move into and out of the cell go through?
No
