Summaryofdifferenttypesofradiation

Propertiesofionizingradiation
Name Source Nature Charge Penetratingpower
Alpha(a) Radioactive Asheetofpaperortheouterlayerofskin
Aheliumnucleus 2+
particles decay canstopaparticles.
Beta(b) Radioactive Asheetofaluminiumafewmillimeters
Anelectron 1
particles decay thickcanstopbparticles
Nuclear Hydrogenrichmaterials,suchasparaffin
Neutrons Aneutron Nil
reactor orwater,canstopneutrons.
Gamma(g) Radioactive Highenergy Highdensitymaterials,suchasthick
Nil
rays decay electromagneticwave barriersofconcrete,canstopgrays.
Electron Highenergy Highdensitymaterials,suchasthick
Xrays Nil
excitation electromagneticwave barriersofconcrete,canstopxrays.

Commontypesofradionuclides
Radionuclide Atomicnumber a particles b particles grays
Tritium 1
Cobalt60 27
Strontium90 38
Technetium99 43
Iodine131 53
Cesium137 55
Radon222 86
Radium226 88
Thorium232 90
Uranium238 92
Plutonium236 94
Americium241 95