Alpha, Beta and Gamma

Nuclear radiation comes from the nucleus of an atom. Substances that give out radiation are said to be radioactive. There are three types of nuclear radiation:

alpha
beta
gamma

Alpha radiation

Alpha radiation is the least penetrating. It can be stopped (or absorbed) by a sheet of paper.

This video explains about Alpha radiation

Beta radiation

Beta radiation can penetrate air and paper. It can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium.

This video covers Beta radiation

Gamma radiation

Gamma radiation is the most penetrating. Even small levels can penetrate air, paper or thin metal. Higher levels can only be stopped by many centimetres of lead, or many metres of concrete.

This video explains about Gamma radiation

Alpha, Beta and Gamma Decay

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