what is the difference between alpha,beta and gamma rays?

Question

i have to compare the properties of these rays and do it in my homework?please help any senior student or a teacher

Answer 1

alpha:
positive charged.low penetrating power. Velocity depends upon the substance emits. deflected only by strong electrical & magnetic fields.

beta:
Negative charged. penetrating power is greater than that of alpha. velocity approaches velocity of light. deflected by electrical & magnetic fields.

gamma:
no charge. penetrating power is greater than that of beta. travels with the velocity of light. not deflected by electrical & magnetic fields

Answer 2

I believe all the previous answers were very exact. Just another point though about their ability to ionize,
alpha has the greatest ionizing effect, followed by beta then , the least almost neglected gamma rays.

Answer 3

Alpha rays - helium nuclei. Highly energetic, but easily blocked (a piece of paper is usually sufficient).

Beta rays - high energy electrons and/or positrons. More penetrating than alpha rays, but can be blocked by a sheet of aluminum foil.

Gamma rays - very high energy photons (a photon is a particle of electromagnetic radiation). Highly penetrating, generally requires several inches of lead to block.

Answer 4

this website compares a few properties between the three.

http://www.blackcatsystems.com/GM/experiments/ex7.html

Also you have to remember that it is alpha and beta 'particles' and gamma 'rays'