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Question
Compare the properties of alpha, beta, and gamma radiations.
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Solution
| Properties | Properties | β rays | γ rays |
| What are they? | Helium nucleus (2He4) consisting of two protons and two neutrons. | They are electrons (−1e0), a basic elementary particle in all atoms. | They are electromagnetic waves consisting of photons. |
| Charge | Positively charged particles. Charge of each alpha particle = +2e | Negatively charged particles. Charge of each beta particle = -e | Neutral particles. Charge of each gamma particle = zero |
| Ionising Power | 100 time greater than β rays and 10,000 times greater than γ rays | Comparatively low | Very less ionization power |
| Penetrating power | Low penetrating power (even stopped by a thick paper) | Penetrating power is greater than that of α rays. They can penetrate through a thin metal foil. | They have a very high penetrating power greater than that of β rays. They can penetrate through thick metal blocks. |
| Effect of an electric and magnetic field | Deflected by both the fields. (in accordance with Fleming’s left-hand rule) | Deflected by both the fields, but the direction of deflection is opposite to that for alpha rays. (in accordance with Fleming’s left-hand rule) | They are not deflected by both fields. |
| Speed | Their speed ranges from 1/10 to 1/20 times the speed of light. | Their speed can go up to 9/10 times the speed of light. | They travel with the speed of light. |
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