Activity 2.

25
Properties of Nuclear Radiations

Purpose: To compare the three types of nuclear radiation as to their properties.

Task:
1. Complete the table below.

Table 1.
A Summary of the Properties of Ionizing Radiation
Type of radiation Alpha Beta Gamma

Charge

Mass
(in atomic mass units)
Composition

Speed

Relative Penetrating
power/ability
Relative Ionizing
power

Questions:

1. From the information you have entered above, which among the types of nuclear
radiation is (are) affected by an electric field? Why do you think so?

2. Which one(s) would be affected by a magnetic field? Give a reason for your answer.

3. “You were given three radioactive cookies, one of each kind. You are allowed to eat
one, hold one and place one in your pocket. In order to receive the least radiation,
given the order of doing something to the cookies:
a) Which cookie would you place in your pocket? Explain your answer.
b) Which cookie would you hold in your hand? Explain your answer briefly.
c) Which cookie would you eat? Why?

For Review:
Answer the following questions:

1. What is radioactive decay? What are the factors that may affect its
occurrence? Explain.
2. What happens to a radioactive nucleus when it emits an alpha particle?
3. What happens to a radioactive nucleus when it emits a beta particle?
4. How about when the same nucleus emits a gamma-ray photon?

Unit 2. Energy in the Environment Lesson Plan 2.25 – Radioactive Cookies 2- 124
 5. Review the structure of an atom through illustration with proper labels.
Student Handout 2.25
Readings on: Properties of Nuclear Radiation
Ionizing radiation occurs in a number of different forms: alpha(α), beta (β) and gamma
(δ) radiation produced as result of nuclear processes. These types of radiation differ in many
important properties; for example, charge, mass, energy, capacity to penetrate substances,
capacity to ionize materials and their behavior in electric and magnetic fields.

Alpha particle radiation consists of

two neutrons and two protons ejected as a
package from the nucleus of a radioactive
atom. The package carries two positive
charges (+2). Their charged nature means that
they are affected by both electric and
magnetic fields, and this property was
important for their original discovery. The
speeds of alpha particles depends on the
nature of the radioactive source, but typically,
their maximum speed (of 30 000 km/s) is
about 10 percent the speed of light.

Their capacity to penetrate materials is not great for they can be stopped by a few
centimeters of air. They cannot penetrate a sheet of paper or the layer of dead skin protecting
the human body. However, alpha particles are able to ionize a large number of atoms over the
small area that they can penetrate.

Beta radiation consists of fast-moving

electrons. Each  particle carries either one
negative or one positive electronic charge. Beta
particles travel very much faster than alpha
particles. Their maximum speed can reach
90% the speed of light. Beta particles can
penetrate up to a meter of air but aluminum or
plastic a few centimeters thick can stop these
particles. The ionizing capacity of beta
particles is very much less than that of alpha
particles.

Gamma radiation does not consist of charge

particles, but of photons. It is a form of
electromagnetic radiation of very short
wavelength and therefore travels at the speed
of light. Gamma radiation is difficult to stop
because its penetrating power is very great. It
can pass through wood, or the human body but
it cannot pass through a thick layer of lead.
The ionizing ability of gamma rays is smaller

Unit 2. Energy in the Environment Lesson Plan 2.25 – Radioactive Cookies 2- 125
than that of beta particles. However, since they are highly penetrating, they are very
dangerous to people even at a distance

Unit 2. Energy in the Environment Lesson Plan 2.25 – Radioactive Cookies 2- 126