Properties Of Radiation

Question 1

What type of radiation is emitted from a helium nucleus with two protons and two neutrons and what are the properties?

Answer 1

Alpha,  a
Relative charge +2 
Relative mass 4
Ionising power - heavily ionising 
Penetrating power - very low, only ~ 10cm in air 
Affected by magnetic fields - Yes

Question 2

What type of radiation is emitted from an electron from the nucleus and what are the properties?

Answer 2

Beta, B-
Relative charge -1
Relative mass 1/1840
Ionising power - weakly ionising
Penetrating power - low, stopped by thin aluminium
Affected by magnetic fields - Yes, but in the opposite direction to a and B+

Question 3

What type of radiation is emitted from a particle with same size as electrons but an opposite charge and what are the properties?

Answer 3

Neutron,  n
Relative charge 0
Relative mass 1
Ionising power - not directly ionising 
Penetrating power - high
Affected by magnetic fields - no, since neither are charged

Question 4

What type of radiation is emitted from a wave and what are the properties?

Answer 4

Gamma, y (waves)
Relative charge 0
Relative mass 0
Ionising power - not directly ionising
Penetrating power - very high, stopped only by thick lead
Affected by magnetic fields - no, since neither are charged

Question 5

Explain why an atom has a neutral charge

Answer 5

An atom has the same number protons and electrons. This mean it has the same number of positive charges and negative charges, so the atom is neutral