Nuclear radiation from unstable nuclei can be classified as alpha, beta, or gamma radiation.
State the relative electrical charge of an alpha (α\alphaα) particle.
Describe the nature of a beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) particle.
Write the three types of radiation (α\alphaα, β\betaβ, γ\gammaγ) in order of increasing ionising power.
State two safety precautions that a technician should take when handling radioactive sources in a laboratory to minimize their radiation dose.
Complete the table below to show whether each type of radiation is stopped or goes through the given absorber. Use the terms 'stopped' or 'goes through'.
| Type of radiation | Thin paper (0.1 mm) | Aluminium plate (5 mm) | Thick lead block (10 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha radiation | stopped | ||
| Beta radiation | stopped | ||
| Gamma radiation | goes through |
State the name of another device (other than a Geiger-Müller tube) that can be used to detect nuclear radiation.