differiantiate the 3 radiations emitted during radioactivity(emphasing on charge and mass)?

Answer 1

Beta Decay ---- it's made of electrons; charge minus1, mass small

Alpha Decay -- helium nucleus, two protons, two neutrons charge +2

Gamma radiation -- high energy EM waves

Answer 2

Hi,

Well, the most common types of radiation are:

alpha particles, these particles hold a 2+ charge and have a mass of 4 amu. Chemically speaking, they are the same as a Helium nucleus, with two protons and two neutrons (thus explaining the mass of 4 amu and charge of 2+). Of the three these are the least penetrating of materials, and it was alpha radiation from polonium that killed the former Russian spy in the news a few weeks back.

Beta particles are essentially an electron. In terms of mass, they have a mass of 1/1840 amu, so all but negligible compared to alpha particles. They have a charge of -1, just like an electron. They are more penetrating than alpha particles.

Gamma particles are the third classic particle. Gamma particles are, in essence, very high energy photons. Photons are particles that transmit electromagnetic energy (think light, when light turns on photons hit you). In gamma particles the photons have very high frequency, and thus very high energy. Every time I see their mass listed it is essentially zero compared to the other particles. These particles also have no charge. They are the most penetrating of the three types; it is often said that even 6 feet of lead would not stop all of the gamma particles.