2007-02-04 02:40:07 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Alpha particcles(helium nuclei) are relatively big so when they strike an atom they can knock an electron off and ionise it.
Beta particles are much smaller (electrons) so are much less ionising.
Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves (like light and X-rays), have no mass so are non-ionising.
2007-02-04 09:41:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The radioactive particle collides with an atom and can knock one or more electrons loose. The remaining atom is an ion.
2007-02-04 03:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They randomly manage to bump into molecules and they have enough energy to knock off an orbiting electron. The resulting atom is now an ion (and some energy has been lost).
2007-02-04 03:35:03 · answer #3 · answered by SS4 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋