PhysicsCode 5054
The three types of emission
What this topic asks you to be able to do
- Describe the emission of radiation by a nucleus as a spontaneous event whose direction is random
- Describe α-particles as helium nuclei, each made up of two protons together with two neutrons, β-particles as electrons that leave the nucleus at high speed, and γ-radiation as electromagnetic waves of high frequency
- Give, for α-particles, β-particles and γ-radiation: (a) the relative ionising effects each has (b) the relative penetrating powers each has
- Describe how α-particles, β-particles and γ-radiation are deflected in electric fields and in magnetic fields