6.9.2 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation

• Some elements have nuclei that are unstable
  • This tends to be when the number of nucleons does not balance

• In order to become more stable, they emit particles and/or electromagnetic radiation
  • These nuclei are said to be radioactive

• There are three different types of radioactive emission: Alpha, Beta and Gamma

Alpha Particles

• Alpha (α) particles are high energy particles made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (the same as a helium nucleus)
• They are usually emitted from nuclei that are too large

Beta Particles

• Beta (β⁻) particles are high energy electrons emitted from the nucleus
  
  • β⁻ particles are emitted by nuclei that have too many neutrons

• Beta is a moderately ionising type of radiation
  • This is due to it having a charge of +1e
  • This means it is able to do some slight damage to cells (less than alpha but more than gamma)

• Beta is a moderately penetrating type of radiation
  • Beta particles have a range of around 20 cm - 3 m in air, depending on their energy

• Beta can be stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium foil

Gamma Rays

• Gamma (γ) rays are high energy electromagnetic waves
• They are emitted by nuclei that need to lose some energy

• If these particles hit other atoms, they can knock out electrons, ionising the atom
• This can cause chemical changes in materials and can damage or kill living cells

When radiation passes close to atoms, it can knock out electrons, ionising the atom

• The properties of the different types of radiation are summarised in the table below

• u is the atomic mass unit (see “Atomic Mass Unit (u)”)
• e is the charge of the electron: 1.60 × 10^-19 C
• c is the speed of light: 3 × 10⁸ m s^-1

ANSWER:     D

Aim of the Experiment

•  The aim of this experiment is to investigate the penetration powers of different types of radiation using either radioactive sources or simulations

Variables:

• Independent variable = Absorber material
• Dependent variable = Count rate
• Control variables:
  • Radioactive source
  • Distance of GM tube to source
  • Location / background radiation

Method

Investigating radiation apparatus

1. Connect the Geiger-Müller tube to the counter and, without any sources present, measure background radiation over a one minute period
2. Repeat this three times, and take an average
3. Now place a radioactive source a fixed distance of 3 cm away from the tube and take another reading over a one minute interval
4. Now take a set of absorbers: some paper, several different thicknesses of aluminium (increasing in 0.5mm intervals) and different thickness of lead
5. One at a time, place these absorbers between the source and the tube and take another reading over a one minute interval
6. Repeat the above experiment for other radioactive sources

Results

• Alpha radiation will be absorbed by the paper
• Beta radiation will be absorbed by the aluminium foil
• Some gamma radiation will be absorbed by the thick lead

 Penetrating power of alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Safety Considerations

• When not using a source, keep it in a lead lined container
• When in use, try and keep a good distance (a metre or so) between yourself and the source
• When handling the source, do so using tweezers (or tongs) and point the source away from you