Is there any differences between alfa, beta, gama particle. If yes then what is it ?
Dear Student,
The properties all the three particles are given below:
Alpha:
Alpha - these are fast moving helium atoms. They have high energy, typically in the MeV range, but due to their large mass, they are stopped by just a few inches of air, or a piece of paper. An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Because it has no electron cloud, it has an overall charge of +2. It is denoted by the symbol α and is written 2 4He2+ or He2+ as there are no electrons.
Properties:
Are fast moving helium nucleus, consisting of 2 neutrons and 4 protons.
They carry the positive charge, and is the heaviest among the three.
Because they are the largest, they can be stopped by a single piece of paper, too... so they have the lowest penetration of objects.
Alpha rays also have the highest ionising power; since they carry the positive charge.
They also has a very high diffraction in the air.
They travel at 1/20th of the speed of light.
Beta particles:
Beta - these are fast moving electrons. They typically have energies in the range of a few hundred keV to several MeV. Since electrons are might lighter than helium atoms, they are able to penetrate further, through several feet of air, or several millimeters of plastic or less of very light metals. Charge on the beta patical is -1 and it is by ß.
Properties:
Are fast moving electrons, thus they carry the negative charge.
It is not as heavy as alpha, and it is also heavily than gamma rays.
Beta rays are smaller than alpha, but bigger than gamma rays.
They can penetrate more than a piece of paper, though they generally stop penetrating after passing through an aluminium sheet.
Beta rays have a moderate ionising power, since they carry the negative charge.
They have a moderate diffraction in the air.
They travel at almost the speed of light.
Gamma rays:
Gamma - these are photons, just like light, except of much higher energy, typically from several keV to several MeV. X-Rays and gamma rays are really the same thing; the difference is how they were produced. Depending on their energy, they can be stopped by a thin piece of aluminum foil, or they can penetrate several inches of lead. Gamma ray does not have any charge and it is denoted by γ.
Properties:
These are photons, like light, thus they are neutral.
It is the lightest among the three; since it does not carry any charges/ proton/ eutron/ electron.
Gamma rays has the highest penetrating power, as it does not diffract well in the air.
They can penetrate at a larger area; and can be stopped by a thick lead block.
Gamma rays have almost no ionising power, as they carry no charges.
Gamma rays travel at the speed of light.
Regards
The properties all the three particles are given below:
Alpha:
Alpha - these are fast moving helium atoms. They have high energy, typically in the MeV range, but due to their large mass, they are stopped by just a few inches of air, or a piece of paper. An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Because it has no electron cloud, it has an overall charge of +2. It is denoted by the symbol α and is written 2 4He2+ or He2+ as there are no electrons.
Properties:
Are fast moving helium nucleus, consisting of 2 neutrons and 4 protons.
They carry the positive charge, and is the heaviest among the three.
Because they are the largest, they can be stopped by a single piece of paper, too... so they have the lowest penetration of objects.
Alpha rays also have the highest ionising power; since they carry the positive charge.
They also has a very high diffraction in the air.
They travel at 1/20th of the speed of light.
Beta particles:
Beta - these are fast moving electrons. They typically have energies in the range of a few hundred keV to several MeV. Since electrons are might lighter than helium atoms, they are able to penetrate further, through several feet of air, or several millimeters of plastic or less of very light metals. Charge on the beta patical is -1 and it is by ß.
Properties:
Are fast moving electrons, thus they carry the negative charge.
It is not as heavy as alpha, and it is also heavily than gamma rays.
Beta rays are smaller than alpha, but bigger than gamma rays.
They can penetrate more than a piece of paper, though they generally stop penetrating after passing through an aluminium sheet.
Beta rays have a moderate ionising power, since they carry the negative charge.
They have a moderate diffraction in the air.
They travel at almost the speed of light.
Gamma rays:
Gamma - these are photons, just like light, except of much higher energy, typically from several keV to several MeV. X-Rays and gamma rays are really the same thing; the difference is how they were produced. Depending on their energy, they can be stopped by a thin piece of aluminum foil, or they can penetrate several inches of lead. Gamma ray does not have any charge and it is denoted by γ.
Properties:
These are photons, like light, thus they are neutral.
It is the lightest among the three; since it does not carry any charges/ proton/ eutron/ electron.
Gamma rays has the highest penetrating power, as it does not diffract well in the air.
They can penetrate at a larger area; and can be stopped by a thick lead block.
Gamma rays have almost no ionising power, as they carry no charges.
Gamma rays travel at the speed of light.
Regards