Page 1: Nuclear Radiation and Isotopes

This page covers fundamental concepts of isotopes and radioactive decay, explaining the characteristics of different nuclear radiation types. The content begins with a definition of isotopes and proceeds to detail the properties of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

Definition: Isotopes are atoms of the same element with identical proton numbers but different neutron counts.

Vocabulary: Atomic number refers to the number of protons, while atomic mass is the sum of protons and neutrons.

Example: Alpha particles consist of 2 neutrons and 2 protons, essentially forming a helium nucleus.

Highlight: The three main types of radiation - alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) - each have distinct properties regarding their ionising power and penetration abilities.

Definition: Ionising power refers to a particle's ability to knock electrons off atoms, which varies significantly between radiation types.

The page details specific characteristics for each radiation type:

• Alpha radiation shows high ionising power but low penetration, traveling only a few centimeters in air
• Beta radiation exhibits medium ionising power and can travel several meters through air, being stopped by aluminum sheets
• Gamma radiation, being electromagnetic, has low ionising power but high penetration, requiring thick lead or concrete for shielding