List the material each of the following is stopped by:
Alpha:
Beta:
Gamma:
Alpha particles are stopped by a sheet of paper or a few centimeters of air.
Beta particles are stopped by a sheet of aluminum or a few meters of air.
Gamma rays are stopped by several centimeters of lead or several meters of concrete.
Alpha particles are stopped by a sheet of paper, clothing, or a few centimeters of air.
Beta particles are stopped by a sheet of aluminum foil or a few centimeters of plastic.
Gamma rays are stopped by several centimeters of lead or several meters of concrete.
To determine the materials that each of the radiation types (alpha, beta, and gamma) is stopped by, we need to understand the properties of each type of radiation.
1. Alpha radiation: Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, which are identical to the helium nucleus. They have a positive charge and relatively large mass.
2. Beta radiation: Beta particles can be either electrons (beta-minus) or positrons (beta-plus). Electrons have a negative charge, while positrons have a positive charge. They have less mass compared to alpha particles.
3. Gamma radiation: Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves, similar to X-rays and light. They have no charge and no mass.
Now, let's determine the materials that can stop each type of radiation:
1. Alpha radiation: Due to their relatively large mass and positive charge, alpha particles are easily stopped. They can be stopped by a sheet of paper, a few centimeters of air, or your own skin. However, they can cause significant damage if they enter your body.
2. Beta radiation: Beta particles have a smaller mass compared to alpha particles and either a negative or positive charge. They can penetrate further than alpha particles but can still be stopped by thicker or denser materials. For example, beta particles can be stopped by a sheet of aluminum foil, a few millimeters of plastic, or a few centimeters of wood. They can also be stopped by a few meters of air.
3. Gamma radiation: Gamma rays have no charge and no mass, making them highly penetrating. They can travel through air, paper, and most materials easily. To stop gamma radiation, denser materials are required. Thick layers of lead, concrete, or several meters of dense earth are commonly used as shielding against gamma rays.
In summary, alpha particles can be stopped by thin barriers such as paper or your skin, beta particles can be stopped by slightly thicker materials like aluminum foil or plastic, and gamma rays require denser materials like lead or concrete for effective shielding.