alpha rays
Ionizing particle emissions
Alpha rays are streams of alpha particles—helium nuclei consisting of two protons and two neutrons—emitted during radioactive decay.
They were among the first types of radiation identified, alongside beta and gamma rays.
Alpha rays have high ionizing power but low penetration; a sheet of paper or human skin can stop them.
The radium emitted alpha rays that fogged the photographic plate.
Producing charged particles
- penetratingPassing into or through
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- particlesMinute pieces of matter
- energeticHaving much vigor
decay · dosimeter · Geiger counter · absorption · shielding · lead · hazardous · radiotherapy
Element ninety-two
- thoriumActinide, atomic number ninety
- radonRadioactive inert gas
- radiumRadioactive alkaline earth metal
- poloniumElement number eighty-four
actinium · half-life · transmutation · nuclear decay · radioisotope · emanation · disintegration · curie
Protons or neutrons
- protonsPositive nuclear particles
- neutronsUncharged subatomic particles
- positive chargeExcess of protons
- mass numberProtons and neutrons combined
atomic number · kinetic energy · tunneling · quantum mechanics · nuclear force · ejection · recoil · momentum
Distribution in many directions
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- atomic structureInternal composition of atoms
- backscatteringDeflection toward the source
- atomic nucleusDense atomic center
discovery · 1911 · Manchester · bombardment
ionizing
Producing charged particles
- penetratingPassing into or through
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- particlesMinute pieces of matter
energetic · decay · dosimeter · Geiger counter · absorption · shielding · lead · hazardous · radiotherapy · exposure
uranium
Element ninety-two
- thoriumActinide, atomic number ninety
- radonRadioactive inert gas
- radiumRadioactive alkaline earth metal
polonium · actinium · half-life · transmutation · nuclear decay · radioisotope · emanation · disintegration · curie · activity
nucleons
Protons or neutrons
- protonsPositive nuclear particles
- neutronsUncharged subatomic particles
- positive chargeExcess of protons
mass number · atomic number · kinetic energy · tunneling · quantum mechanics · nuclear force · ejection · recoil · momentum · velocity
scattering
Distribution in many directions
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- atomic structureInternal composition of atoms
- backscatteringDeflection toward the source
atomic nucleus · discovery · 1911 · Manchester · bombardment
- radiation safetydosimeter, radiation protection, radiation shielding, lead apron, dosimeters
- radiation
- radiant energyphoton, photons, sunlight, visible light, radiance
- spectroscopyspectrum, spectrometer, spectroscope, spectrograph, spectrogram
alpha raysgamma rays
Highest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
gamma radiation · beta rays · beta radiation · beta particles · cosmic rays
alpha, ray, rays, alphabet, alphabetic, alphabetical, alphabetically, alphabetize, alphabetization