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This lesson covers the properties, penetrating power, and ionising ability of the three main types of nuclear radiation — alpha, beta, and gamma — as required by the AQA GCSE Physics specification (4.4.2). You need to know the nature of each type, how they interact with matter, and how they can be identified.
An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons — it is identical to a helium-4 nucleus. Alpha particles are emitted from the nuclei of very heavy, unstable atoms (such as uranium, radium, and polonium).
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Composition | 2 protons + 2 neutrons (helium nucleus) |
| Charge | +2 |
| Relative mass | 4 |
| Speed | Relatively slow (about 5-10% of the speed of light) |
| Ionising ability | Strongly ionising |
| Penetrating power | Very low — stopped by a few centimetres of air or a sheet of paper |
| Deflection in electric/magnetic fields | Deflected (towards negative plate, due to positive charge) |
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