alpha, beta and gamma radiation

protactinium is the goat 💯

alpha particle description

helium nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons)

beta particle description

high-speed electron emitted from nucleus

gamma ray description

high-energy electromagnetic radiation (photon)

alpha particle symbol

₂⁴α

beta particle symbol

⁰₋₁β or ⁰₊₁β

gamma ray symbol

γ

alpha particle charge

+3.2 × 10^-19

beta particle charge

-1.6 × 10^-19

gamma ray charge

0

alpha particle mass

4.00

beta particle mass

0.000549

gamma ray mass

0

alpha particle emission speed

about 5-10% of the speed of light

beta particle emission speed

up to 30-90% of the speed of light

gamma ray emission speed

speed of light (3.0 × 10⁸ m/s)

alpha particle penetrating ability

low; stopped by paper or a few cm of air

beta particle penetrating ability

medium; stopped by a few mm of aluminium

gamma ray penetrating ability

very high; requires thick lead or concrete to absorb

alpha particle ionising effect

very strong

beta particle ionising effect

moderate

gamma ray ionising effect

weak

alpha particle deflection in magnetic or electric fields

deflected slightly toward the negative plate → small

beta particle deflection in magnetic or electric fields

deflected strongly toward the positive plate →large

gamma ray deflection in magnetic or electric fields

not deflected → none