What is the difference of alpha beta and gamma radiation?

Answer 1

These are types of both particulate and electromagnetic radiation, and alpha and beta are the former while gamma is the latter. Let's look at each one in brief. An alpha particle is a pair of protons and a pair of neutrons all hooked together. It's a helium-4 nucleus, and it's particulate radiation. A gamma ray is electromagnetic radiation (an electromagnetic ray) of very high frequency and energy (which also means very short wavelength). A beta particle is one of two types of particles, either a beta plus particle or a beta minus particle. The beta minus particle is an electron, and a beta plus particle is a positron, or anti-electron (antimatter). Beta radiation is particulate radiation. What is key to understanding these guys is how they are formed. Use the links below to the three questions that specifically speak to the characteristics of each of these types of radiation. These questions are already posted and answered here; no need for repetition.

Answer 2

Alpha Particles: 1 An alpha particle consists of 2 protons & 2 neutrons The mass of an alpha particle is roughly 4 times the mass of a proton 3 the speed of an alpha particle is of the order of 10000000m/s 4 An alpha particle strongly ionizes the gas it passes 5 An alpha particle rapidly loses its energy as it moves through a medium and therefore its penetrating power is quite small

Beta Particles: 1 These are the fast moving electrons emitted from the nucleus of the atom 2 The speed of beta particles is in the order of 100000000m/s 3 A beta particle ionizes the gas it passes 4 The penetrating power of beta particles is more than that of alpha particles. 5 Beta particles are negatively charged, so they get deflected by the electric & magnetic fields

Gamma Particles: 1 Gama radiations are the electromagnetic waves 2 The speed of gamma particles is the same as the speed of light 3 The ionizing power of gamma radiation is very low. 4 The penetrating power of Gamma radiations is high 5 Like X-rays and light, Gamma radiations are not deflected by the electric and magnetic fields as they are not the charged particles.

Answer 3

The X ray and Gamma ray are basicly the same thing, their origin is different. Xrays come from the electron shell. Gammas come from the nucleus. their emmisions are most typically the result of decay, which is the natural process of all material to reach their lowest possible energy level.

Answer 4

A gamma ray is electromagnetic radiation. The alpha ray is actually a particle, being a helium-4 nucleus. The beta ray is likewise a particle, being an electron or a positron (anti-electron). The latter two types of rays are actually forms of what we call particulate radiation.

Answer 5

Being alpha the nucleus of the Helium atom, it is doulbly ionized Helium atom. It has two +ve charges ie 2e. With heavier mass it moves slowly compared to the other two radiations.

Beta being a fast moving electron, it is singly charged with negative charge. ie -e

Its speed is more than that of alpha

Gamma is nothing but electro magnetic radiation. So it is neutral and has the velocity of light.

Alpha and Beta are deflected by both electric and magnetic fields but gamma is not so.

Answer 6

These are terms commonly used in certain scientific disciplines, including: nuclear chemistry, particle physics, astronomy, and geophysics.

An alpha (α) particle is a low energy particle. It consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. They are identical to helium nuclei (helium atoms stripped of their electrons).

A beta (β) particle is a high energy, high speed particle. It consists of a free electron or positron,

A gamma (γ ) ray, refers to electromagnetic (light) radiation, rather than particles. Gamma rays consist of very short wavelength, very high energy radiation, originating in atomic nuclei and exploding stars. Gamma rays are energetic enough to pose a threat to life. They easily pass through solid objects. These rays are the most energetic of all EM radiation, especially those associated with hyper-novas (the collapse and explosion of very large stars).

Answer 7

1. alpha, fully ionized helium nucleus
2. beta, highly energetic electron (or sometimes a positron)
3. gamma, very highly energetic photon

Answer 8

Alpha rays are positively charged, beta rays are negatively charged, gamma rays are neutral, they don't have any charge.

Answer 9

Alpha radiation: corpuscular radiation, helium atoms

Beta radiation: electrons

Gamma radiation: electromagnetic radiation of high energy

Answer 10

Alpha rays are composed of helium-4 nuclei, beta rays are composed of electrons or positrons, and gamma rays are composed of very high energy electromagnetic radiation.