Alpha

A few questions about Alpha,Gamma,and Beta radiation?

Do Beta particles have the greatest mass of all the major forms of radioactivity?





Can Gamma radiation penetrate more deeply into materials than any other form of radiation?



Do Alpha particles tend to pick up electrons and become helium atoms?





It would be very helpful if you could explain to me the above questions.

Public Comments

1. Alpha particles have more mass than beta particles. Much more, since an beta particle is just one electron.
   
   
   
   And of course gamma rays have NO mass.
2. A) beta particules are electrons...They don't have the greatest mass . Alpha particule have
   
   
   
   B) YES. Gamma rays are very energetic electromagnetic radiation, so they can penetrate materials very easily .
   
   
   
   C) Alpha particules are made of 2 proton and 2 neutron, which is the helium nucleus.
3. Do Beta particles have the greatest mass of all the major forms of radioactivity? No, beta particles have the mass of one electron (essentially zero).
   
   
   
   
   
   Can Gamma radiation penetrate more deeply into materials than any other form of radiation? Yes. Gamma radiation (functionally the same as an x-ray) possesses no mass or electrical charge and therefore interacts more weakly with matter, allowing it to penetrate materials more readliy.
   
   
   
   Do Alpha particles tend to pick up electrons and become helium atoms? Yes. When an alpha particles has come to rest it will have picked up two electrons and become a helium atom, rather than just the nucleus.