Summary of different types of radiation
| Radiation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ionizing radiation | Non-ionizing radiation | ||
| Particle radiation | High energy electronmagnetic wave | Low energy electronmagnetic wave | Ultrasound |
|
|
|
|
Properties of ionizing radiation
| Name | Source | Nature | Charge | Penetrating power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha (α) particles | Radioactive decay | A helium nucleus | 2+ | A sheet of paper or the outer layer of skin can stop α particles |
| Beta (β) particles | Radioactive decay | An electron | 1-/1+ | A sheet of aluminium a few millimeters thick can stop β particles |
| Neutrons | Nuclear reactor | A neutron | Nil | Hydrogen-rich materials, such as paraffin or water, can stop neutrons |
| Gamma (γ) rays | Radioactive decay | High energy electromagnetic wave | Nil | High density materials, such as thick barriers of concrete, can stop γ rays |
| X-rays | Electron excitation | High energy electromagnetic wave | Nil | High density materials, such as thick barriers of concrete, can stop X-rays |
Common types of radionuclides
| Radionuclide | Atomic number | α particles | β particles | γ rays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tritium | 1 | No | Yes | No |
| Cobalt-60 | 27 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Strontium-90 | 38 | No | Yes | No |
| Technetium-99 | 43 | No | Yes | No |
| Iodine-131 | 53 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cesium-137 | 55 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Radon-222 | 86 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Radium-226 | 88 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Thorium-232 | 90 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Uranium-238 | 92 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Plutonium-236 | 94 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Americium-241 | 95 | Yes | No | Yes |