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Alpha particles are simple helium nuclei, and form the bulk of ionizing radiation. However, since alpha particles are much larger and heavier than beta radiation (electrons) and gamma radiation (photons), they are easily blocked by lightweight solids, such as paper. Therefore, they would be a poor means of detecting underground leaks in pipes, since they would not travel well through dense ground or metal.

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Why are film badges unsuitable for detecting alpha particle radiation?

Film badges are typically designed to detect higher-energy radiation, such as gamma and beta particles. Alpha particles have low penetrating power and are usually stopped by air or a thin layer of material, which can prevent them from reaching the film inside the badge to create an image. As a result, film badges may not be sensitive enough to detect alpha particle radiation effectively.


What type of radiation is used in gold foil experiments?

Alpha radiation :) The point is that Alpha radiation doesn't pass through gold foil. Therefore there was an obvious issue when they were detecting particles passing through the foil every so often. This lead to the theory that objects consist of billions of atoms as opposed to being one solid object. Hope this helps! Sources - L. Robinson's Higher Physics


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.


If the mixture of electrically neutral how many more beta particles than alpha particles are in the balloon?

If a mixture is electrically neutral, for every alpha particle (which has a charge of +2), there must be two beta particles (each with a charge of -1) to balance the charges. So there are two more beta particles than alpha particles in the balloon.


How does the penetrating ability of gamma rays compare with that of alpha particles and beta particles?

Gamma rays have higher penetrating ability compared to alpha and beta particles. Gamma rays can penetrate through most materials, while alpha particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper and beta particles by a few millimeters of aluminum.

Related Questions

Why are film badges little use detecting alpha particles?

alpha can't make it through the badge holder to the film.


Why must a Geiger Muller tube for detecting alpha particles have very high thin end window?

A GM (Geiger-Muller) tube for detecting alpha particles must have a very thin window because alpha particles are highly interactive, and they can be stopped with very little, such as only a few inches of air, a sheet of paper, your skin, etc. Typical GM detectors for alpha application use mylar as the window. Even so, the mylar does interfere with the alpha detection, but this is better than nothing.


Why are film badges unsuitable for detecting alpha particle radiation?

Film badges are typically designed to detect higher-energy radiation, such as gamma and beta particles. Alpha particles have low penetrating power and are usually stopped by air or a thin layer of material, which can prevent them from reaching the film inside the badge to create an image. As a result, film badges may not be sensitive enough to detect alpha particle radiation effectively.


What type of radiation is used in gold foil experiments?

Alpha radiation :) The point is that Alpha radiation doesn't pass through gold foil. Therefore there was an obvious issue when they were detecting particles passing through the foil every so often. This lead to the theory that objects consist of billions of atoms as opposed to being one solid object. Hope this helps! Sources - L. Robinson's Higher Physics


Why does Geiger counter not truly measure alpha radiation?

Alpha particles are Helium nuclei, two protons and two neutrons - mass 4 and charge 2. These particles have very little penetrating capability - they can be stopped with a few inches of air, a sheet of paper, your skin, etc. As a result, alpha particles have no chance of penetrating the metal shell of the Geiger counter and participating in the ionization pulses that it counts.


What effect does humidity have on alpha particles?

Alpha particles can be absorbed by water.


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.


Where could one locate Alpha particles?

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.


Why did Rutherford use alpha particles rather than electrons for his scattering experenment?

Rutherford used alpha particles because they have more mass and positive charge compared to electrons, making them more suitable for studying the size and charge distribution of the atomic nucleus. The greater mass of alpha particles led to less deflection when they interacted with atoms, allowing Rutherford to better understand the structure of the atom by observing the scattering patterns.


What is the type of radioactive decay in which positive particles are given off?

Alpha decay is the type of radioactive decay in which positive particles, specifically alpha particles, are emitted. These alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together, giving them a positive charge.


Why were few alpha particles deflected?

some of alpha particles were deflected through an angle of 90 degree


What is the alpha kappa alpha theme song?

Freaks of the Industry - Digital Underground