Alpha radiation - what is it?
The alpha radiation is relatively harmless radiation, which occurs in the case of an alpha decay.
- In alpha decay are repelled from the nucleus, two protons and two neutrons. The mass number of the nucleus decreases by 4 units and the atomic number by 2 units.
- In other words, you could say that it is the alpha particle is a doubly ionized helium atom because the helium nucleus has 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
- Due to the relatively large mass (4 u) of an alpha particle, the penetration depth is very low.
Alpha radiation - what is it?
Beta radiation - what is it?
In addition to the alpha radiation, there is also the beta radiation.
- Most of the β‾decay is considered. In this case, a Neutron turns into a Proton. This sends, however, an electron and an Antineutrino. This decay usually occurs with Nuclides with a neutron Excess. The mass number remains unchanged but the atomic number is increased by 1.
- In addition, there is the Beta-Plus decay, a Proton transforms into a Neutron. This emits a Positron, which is constructed like an electron, only it's made of anti-matter, and an electron-Neutrino, which is a difficult-to-proof-resistant neutral-charged particles.
- In contrast to alpha radiation, the beta radiation penetrates a little deeper. The Penetration of the beta particle energy is transferred to the Material, and ionisation in a surface takes place the middle layer, which corresponds to the penetration depth of the particles.
Beta radiation - what is it?
How decays of uranium to lead?
For a better understanding we will explain here an example of the decay of uranium to lead.
- A uranium Atom (238/92) to decay into a lead Atom (206/82). You subtract first, the mass numbers: 238 - 206 = 32 & Now you know that the decay of 32 nucleons (i.e. protons and/or neutrons) are emitted. This corresponds to the mass number of 8 alpha particles.
- You subtract then the nuclear charge of 92 (p+) - 82 (p+) = 10 (p+) figures. 8 alpha particles have a charge of 8 ⋅ 2 (p+) = 16 (p+). Since the atomic number changes by only 10 positive charges, have yet to take place 6 beta decays. As a result, the nuclear charge number is increased again to 6 positive charges and the mass number remains the same.
How decays of uranium to lead?
In the next tip we will explain how quantum computers work.
