Alpha, Beta and Gamma

Alpha, beta and gamma are the three main types of nuclear radiation studied at this level.

Nature: helium nucleus Charge: +2 Relative mass: 4 Ionising ability: high Penetrating ability: low Deflection in electric/magnetic fields: yes, because it is charged.

Nature: fast electron in beta-minus radiation. Charge: −1 Relative mass: very small. Ionising ability: medium Penetrating ability: medium Deflection: yes, and more strongly than alpha because it is much lighter.

Nature: electromagnetic radiation Charge: 0 Rest mass: 0 Ionising ability: lower than alpha and beta at this school-level comparison Penetrating ability: high Deflection in electric/magnetic fields: no, because gamma photons have no electric charge.

| Property | Alpha | Beta | Gamma | | ------------------- | ---------- | ---------- | ------------ | | Nature | He nucleus | Electron | EM radiation | | Charge | +2 | −1 | 0 | | Relative mass | 4 | Very small | 0 | | Ionising | High | Medium | Lower | | Penetrating | Low | Medium | High | | Deflected by fields | Yes | Yes | No |