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Q: Why are beta particles able to penetrate objects better than alpha particles are?
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Can alpha particles penetrate the skin?

For the most part alpha particles are stopped before passing through the skin.


What is Alpha radiation stopped by?

Alpha particles are the strongest of the three known types of radiation (alpha, beta, & gamma). Although the strongest, the alpha particles are the least penetrating.They do not tend to penetrate any substance.A well-known example is your skin. Alpha particles do not penetrate your skin barrier. However, alpha particles energy is high and is a cause of skin cancer and genetic mutations.


Define the three types of Radiation alpha particles beta particles gamma particles and list the name of the scientist who discovered it?

Ernest Rutherford discovered radiation. Alpha is most harmful is ingested, it cannot penetrate the sign, nor paper or metal or lead, beta is able to penetrate paper and metal, and gamma, the most harmful of the three is able to penetrate paper, metal, lead, and skin. beta can penetrate the skin after a long period of time.


Why is it eaier to fission uranium 235 with neutrons than alpha particles?

A neutron is smaller and has no charge, so it is able to penetrate to the nucleus far better than an alpha particle (which is larger in size, and has a charge that is repelled by the nucleus). So the neutron is more able to cause critical instability and fission the nucleus.


What absorbs alpha radiation?

Pretty much anything will. A couple of sheets of paper would do it. Alpha radiation is big and bulky compared to other types of radiation. So it can't penetrate objects very far.

Related questions

Can alpha particles penetrate the skin?

For the most part alpha particles are stopped before passing through the skin.


What is Alpha radiation stopped by?

Alpha particles are the strongest of the three known types of radiation (alpha, beta, & gamma). Although the strongest, the alpha particles are the least penetrating.They do not tend to penetrate any substance.A well-known example is your skin. Alpha particles do not penetrate your skin barrier. However, alpha particles energy is high and is a cause of skin cancer and genetic mutations.


Are Alpha particles are the most penetrating?

No. Alpha particles, consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons - effectively a Helium nucleus - are very heavy (for a decay particle) and readily ionize surface materials. For this reason, they have very low penetration.Alpha particles are not the most penetrating, instead it is the Gamma rays that penetrate better.


Are alpha particles the most penetrating?

No. Alpha particles, consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons - effectively a Helium nucleus - are very heavy (for a decay particle) and readily ionize surface materials. For this reason, they have very low penetration.Alpha particles are not the most penetrating, instead it is the Gamma rays that penetrate better.


Define the three types of Radiation alpha particles beta particles gamma particles and list the name of the scientist who discovered it?

Ernest Rutherford discovered radiation. Alpha is most harmful is ingested, it cannot penetrate the sign, nor paper or metal or lead, beta is able to penetrate paper and metal, and gamma, the most harmful of the three is able to penetrate paper, metal, lead, and skin. beta can penetrate the skin after a long period of time.


Can alpha penetrate aluminum but not concrete?

Alpha particles do not penetrate much. They are stopped by a few inches of air. They do not penetrate a piece of paper well, and are stopped by aluminum and concrete. Beta particles can penetrate better, but are stopped by rather thin pieces of aluminum. High energy beta particles are shielded with plastics, wood, or water. Gamma rays are best absorbed by atoms with heavy nuclei. Neutrons are usually either absorbed by atoms or moderated to the point of having little energy. Unlike the other emissions, neutrons have a half life, which is a little less than fifteen minutes.


Why are reactions that emit alpha particles generally considered more safe than those that emit beta particles?

Alpha particles are actually electron-less helium nuclei versus beta particles which are actually electrons, which are much smaller than alpha particles. Therefore, alpha particles' penetrating strength is much smaller than beta particles (a sheet of paper versus a wooden board). Therefore, beta particles will penetrate more into a human body and will do more damage than alpha particles which are usually stopped at the skin.


What are beta and alpha rays?

Alpha: Highly ionising particles that can not penetrate the skin, smoke or most substances. It's only dangerous when inhaled or ingested. Beta: Is slightly less ionising but can penetrate air, layers of skin and paper. It's only slightly more dangerous than Alpha.


Is alpha radiation absorbed by paper?

Alpha radiation (a Helium atom with two neutrons) is very bulky, and therefore cannot penetrate physical objects easily. A sheet of paper will not absorb, but deflect the alpha particle.


What can alpha penetrate?

If you mean the Alpha radiation, then it can penetrate very little; barely a few cm's in the air as it is a helium nucleus.


Why is it eaier to fission uranium 235 with neutrons than alpha particles?

A neutron is smaller and has no charge, so it is able to penetrate to the nucleus far better than an alpha particle (which is larger in size, and has a charge that is repelled by the nucleus). So the neutron is more able to cause critical instability and fission the nucleus.


Why is alpha radiation more dangerous than beta rediation when the source of the radiation is inside the body?

Alpha radiation cannot get pass through our body as it cannot penetrate through things. Beta can penetrate through things better than alpha. So if alpha is inside our body then it cannot get outside our body and therefore it becomes dangerous.