Alpha, Beta and Gamma rays are invisible to human eyes but exist in the form of radiation. Radioactivity is understood as the ability of some physically unstable elements to emit energy in the form of particles or electromagnetic radiation. Follow each radiation in particular and see what each one is about:
alpha rays(α)
Alpha radiation has a positive charge, it consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, alpha particles are easily barred by a sheet of aluminum foil, despite being quite energetic. Alpha radiation has a relatively higher mass and electrical charge than other radiations.
beta rays (β)
Beta radiation has a negative charge, similar to electrons. Beta particles are more penetrating and less energetic than alpha particles, they can pass through aluminum foil, but are blocked by wood. It is worth remembering that only alpha and beta rays have a positive and negative charge, respectively, and the gamma rays that we will see below are electrically charged.
Gamma (γ)
Gamma rays are not as energetic, but they are extremely penetrating, they can pass through the human body, they are only stopped by a thick wall of concrete or some kind of metal. Because of these characteristics, this radiation is harmful to human health, it can cause cell malformation.
Alpha, beta and gamma radiation are dangerous, but when properly used they can be useful in several areas of work: in health it is used in the treatment of tumors carcinogens, in industry radioactivity is used to obtain nuclear energy and in science it aims to promote the study of the atomic and molecular organization of others elements.
Observing the penetration power of alpha, beta and gamma rays in various materials, the following can be concluded:
Gamma rays pass through all the barriers that alpha and beta rays cannot cross, and are only contained by a concrete wall, they can even penetrate even a lead plate.
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By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Brazil School Team
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Gamma
Processes that use gamma rays.
Nuclear Chemistry - Chemistry - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Alpha, Beta and Gamma Rays"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/raios-alfa-beta-gama.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
