Properties of Alpha Beta and Gamma Rays

Properties of Alpha Beta and Gamma Rays :-

During radioactive decay, particles like alpha, beta and gamma rays are emitted by the unstable atoms like uranium, thorium, polonium, radium, actenium etc to gain stability.

• Properties of alpha beta and gamma rays are given below –

Properties of Alpha Rays :-

1. Alpha Rays are the positively charged particles, A highly energetic helium nucleus which contains two protons and two neutrons is called the Alpha particle.
2. Alpha rays have the least penetrating power but the greatest ionization power. It is about 100 times of Beta and about 10000 Times of gamma.
3. They are affected by both electric and magnetic field.
4. Their effects on photographicgraphic plate.
5. Its speed is less than the speed of light.
6. They are not dangerous to contact with the body.

Properties of Beta Rays :-

1. They have negatively charged particles and have a negligible mass . It is an electron that is ejected from the nucleus at high speed.
2. Beta particles have greater penetrating power than the Alpha particles.
3. They have less ionization power than the Alpha particles. they are affected by both electric and magnetic field.
4. They are more effective than Alpha particle on photographic plate.
5. Its speed is equal to the speed of light.
6. They are dangerous and so their contact with the body must be avoided.

Properties of Gamma Rays :-

1. They are electromagnetic wave like X -ray, its wavelength is 1/100 of X -rays wavelength. They are known as Gamma Photon.
2. Its energy is very high.
3. They are not affected by both electric and magnetic field.
4. They propagate from the speed of light.
5. Its penetrating power is more than Alpha particles and beta particles.
6. When Gamma ray falls on metal surface, then emits photoelectron.
7. They effects on photographic plate more than beta particles.