Y10: Types of Radiation

• Physics
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

What do you already know about radiation?

Which type of radiation is represented by the symbol β ?

1. Alpha
2. Beta
3. Gamma
4. Neutron

Which type of radiation is represented by the symbol γ ?

1. Alpha
2. Beta
3. Gamma
4. Neutron

Which type of radiation is made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)
4. Neutron (n)

Which type of radiation is an electromagnetic wave (light wave)?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)
4. Neutron (n)

Which type of radiation has a charge of -1?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)
4. Neutron (n)

Which type of radiation has a mass of 1?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)
4. Neutron (n)

Which type of radiation is sometimes described as a helium nucleus?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)
4. Neutron (n)

Type of radiation	Symbol	What is it made of?	Mass	Charge
Alpha	α
Beta			0
Gamma				0

Complete the table.

2 protons + 2 neutrons

4

+2

-1

0

A high energy electron.

A EM wave.

γ

β

Which type of radiation is the most penetrating (travels the furthest)?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)

Which type of radiation is the most ionising (does the most damage)?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)

Which type of radiation can be stopped by an aluminium sheet?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)

Which type of radiation can only be stopped by thick lead or metres of concrete?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)

Which type of radiation only travels 5cm in air?

1. Alpha (α)
2. Beta (β)
3. Gamma (γ)

Put the types of radiation in order.

Most penetrating

Least penetrating

Alpha (α)

Beta (β)

Gamma (γ)

Put the types of radiation in order.

Most ionising

Least ionising

Alpha (α)

Beta (β)

Gamma (γ)

Describe alpha (α) radiation in a much detail as possible.

Describe beta (β) radiation in a much detail as possible.

Describe gamma (γ) radiation in a much detail as possible.