isotopes and nuclear radiation

what is an isotope

atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons

what to unstable isotopes tend to do

decay into other elements and give out radiation as they try to become more stable

radioactive decay

what is ionising radiation

a radiation thag knocks electrons off atoms creating positive ions

what is an alpha particle, what is it stopped by, how ionising is it and what are some uses

an alpha particle is two neutrons and two protons (like a helium nucleus)

don’t penetrate far and is absorbed by a thin sheet of paper

strongly ionising

used in smoke detectors - ionises air particles causing a current to flow. smoke binds to ions causing current to stop and alarm to sound

what is a beta particle, what is it stopped by, how ionising is it and what are some uses

a fast moving electron released by the nucleus, no mass and charge of -1

absorbed by sheet of aluminium

moderately ionising, penetrate moderately far into materials

used to test thickness of sheets of metal as particles are not immediately absorbed and don’t penetrate as far

what is a gamma ray , what is it stopped by, how ionising is it and what are some uses

waves of electromagnetic radiation released by the nucleus

absorbed by thick sheet of lead

penetrate far into materials without being stopped and travel a long distance through air - weakly ionising (dont collide with atoms)

medicine (radiotherapy), industry (sterilisation and disinfection)