| Particles consisting of two neutrons and two protons, essentially a helium-4 nucleus. | Alpha Particles (α) |
| What is the composition of an alpha particle? | An alpha particle consists of 2 neutrons and 2 protons. |
| The same as an alpha particle, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. | Helium Nucleus |
| What is another term for an alpha particle? | An alpha particle is equivalent to a helium nucleus. |
| The mass of an object compared to the mass of another object. | Relative Mass |
| What is the relative mass of an alpha particle? | Alpha particles have a relative mass of 4. |
| The property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. | Charge |
| What is the charge of an alpha particle? | Alpha particles have a charge of +2. |
| The process by which an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, resulting in a charged particle. | Ionisation |
| What happens to atoms when they interact with alpha particles? | Alpha particles easily take electrons from other atoms they encounter, turning them into ions. |
| Refers to the type of radiation that causes the highest degree of ionisation per unit distance traveled. | Most Ionising |
| What type of radiation is the most ionising? | Alpha particles are the most ionising type of radiation. |
| Refers to the type of radiation that can travel the shortest distance through matter before being stopped. | Least Penetrating |
| How penetrating are alpha particles compared to other types of radiation? | Alpha particles are the least penetrating type of radiation. |
| Refers to materials or substances that prevent the passage of radiation. | Blocked By |
| What materials can block alpha particles? | Alpha particles are blocked by skin, paper, or a few centimeters of air. |
| High-speed electrons emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. | Beta Minus Particles |
| What are beta minus particles? | Beta minus particles are high-speed electrons. |
| A subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, with no electrical charge. | Neutron |
| What happens in radioactive decay that leads to the emission of beta minus particles? | Beta minus particles are emitted from the nucleus when a neutron is transformed into a proton. |
| The mass of an object compared to the mass of another object. | Relative Mass |
| What is the relative mass of a beta minus particle? | Beta minus particles have a relative mass of 0. |
| The property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. | Charge |
| What is the charge of a beta minus particle? | Beta minus particles have a charge of -1. |
| Refers to the type of radiation that causes the highest degree of ionisation per unit distance traveled. | Most Ionising |
| How does the ionising power of beta particles compare to alpha particles? | Beta particles are less ionising than alpha particles. |
| Refers to the type of radiation that can travel the longest distance through matter before being stopped. | Most Penetrating |
| How penetrating are beta particles compared to alpha particles? | Beta particles are more penetrating than alpha particles. |
| Refers to materials or substances that prevent the passage of radiation. | Blocked By |
| What materials can block beta minus particles? | Beta particles are blocked by thin metal such as aluminum or a few meters of air. |
| High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. | Gamma Rays |
| What are gamma rays? | Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus. |
| The amount of matter in an object. | Mass |
| What is the mass of gamma rays? | Gamma rays have no mass. |
| The property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. | Charge |
| What is the charge of gamma rays? | Gamma rays have no charge. |
| Refers to the type of radiation that causes the lowest degree of ionisation per unit distance traveled. | Least Ionising |
| How ionising are gamma rays compared to other types of radiation? | Gamma rays are the least ionising type of radiation. |
| Refers to the type of radiation that can travel the longest distance through matter before being stopped. | Most Penetrating |
| How penetrating are gamma rays compared to other types of radiation? | Gamma rays are the most penetrating type of radiation. |
| High-speed positrons emitted from the nucleus during certain types of radioactive decay. | Beta Plus Particles |
| What are beta plus particles? | Beta plus particles are high-speed positrons emitted from the nucleus during certain types of radioactive decay. |
| Positively charged subatomic particles that are similar to electrons but with a positive charge. | Positrons |
| What are positrons? | Positrons are positively charged subatomic particles that are similar to electrons but with a positive charge. |
| The mass of a particle relative to the mass of a proton or neutron, which is assigned a value of 1. | Relative Mass |
| What is the relative mass of beta plus particles? | Beta plus particles have a relative mass of 0, the same as electrons. |
| How is a positron represented in a nuclear equation? | A positron is represented by the symbol: β+. |
| The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. | Radioactive Decay |
| What triggers the emission of a positron during radioactive decay? | A positron is emitted from the nucleus when a proton turns into a neutron. |
