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Alpha particles may be ejected from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay. They are relatively heavy, and only travel about an inch in air.Alpha particles may be ejected from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay. They are relatively heavy, and only travel about an inch in air.
How far can each type of radiation travel in air?
For example, alpha radiation travels only a few centimetres in air, beta radiation travels tens of centimetres in air, and gamma radiation travels very large distances. All types of radiation become less intense as they travel further away from the radioactive material.
How far can gamma radiation travel in air?
Gamma radiation, unlike alpha or beta, does not consist of any particles, instead consisting of a photon of energy being emitted from an unstable nucleus. Having no mass or charge, gamma radiation can travel much farther through air than alpha or beta, losing (on average) half its energy for every 500 feet.
What is the range of alpha radiation in air?
2 cm to 10 cm Alpha particles lose their energy due to the interaction with particles of the air. There is a distance where none alpha particles are registered with the detector. This distance is the range of alpha particles in the air. The value of the range of alpha particles in the air varies from 2 cm to 10 cm.
Which type of radiation has the longest range in air?
Gamma Penetrating power
| Radiation | Range (cm) | Ionising power |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha | 3-5 | Highly ionising |
| Beta | about 15 | Ionising |
| Gamma | much longer | Weakly ionising |
How far radiation can travel?
They are lighter than alpha particles, and can travel farther in air, up to several yards. Very energetic beta particles can penetrate up to one-half an inch through skin and into the body. They can be shielded with less than an inch of material, such as plastic.
What can stop an alpha particle?
Alpha particles can be stopped completely by a sheet of paper. Beta particles travel appreciable distances in air, but can be reduced or stopped by a layer of clothing, thin sheet of plastic or a thin sheet of aluminum foil.
How far can ionizing radiation travel?
They are able to travel tens of yards or more in air and can easily penetrate the human body. Shielding this very penetrating type of ionizing radiation requires thick, dense material such as several inches of lead or concrete.
Can radiation only travel through air?
These changing fields form electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves differ from mechanical waves in that they do not require a medium to propagate. This means that electromagnetic waves can travel not only through air and solid materials, but also through the vacuum of space.
What can alpha penetrate?
Alpha particles can easily be shielded by a single sheet of paper and cannot penetrate the outer dead layer of skin, so they pose no danger when their source is outside the human body. Beta particles are essentially electrons emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom.
