Radiation: principles, effects, and applications

Radiation

Three Types of Radiation

Radiation is the term given to the emission of various particles, typically from the nuclei of atoms (BCS 2011; Nave 2011). The universe has many different sources of radiation, and there are also different types of radiation depending on the source and, to a much greater degree, the exact particles that are involved in the radiation (Nave 2011). Understanding the different types of radiation is useful for a variety of reasons, including many diverse practical and scientific applications as well as in assisting layperson to make some sense of radiation fears and nuclear news. The following paragraphs will detail the three primary types of radiation, including their sources, their relative energy, and thus the potential dangers and applications they present. Through this understanding, a greater appreciation for the safe and secure harnessing of nuclear and radiation energies will be established.

The first basic type of radiation identified is alpha radiation, which consists of helium nuclei (two protons and two neutrons) emitted from larger atoms during their nuclear degeneration (Nave 2011). These alpha particles have a fialry large mass, and this combined with the speed at which they are emitted gives them a considerable amount of energy (Nave 2011; BCS 2011). The size of these particles also makes them relatively harmless, however, as a simple sheet of paper or even a few inches of empty air is enough to halt alpha particles in their progress (BCS 2011). Alpha radiation is typically only dangerous when a radiation source is ingested, and also ecause of their short-range and lack of penetrating ability, the applications for alpha radiation are generally limited to internal or closed systems, as well (Nave 2011).

Beta particles are electrons from an atomic nucleus that have been ejected in a fashion somewhat similar to the emission of alpha particles, though beta particles are seven-thousand times smaller (Nave 2011). Beta and alpha particles both move at very high speeds, however, and though the lower mass of beta particles gives them less total energy at any given speed they can reach energy levels comparable to those seen in alpha radiation (BCS 2011). Their much smaller size also gives beta particles greater penetrative abilities, however; they can persist through several feet of air and even thin layers of certain light metals (BCS 2011). Still, it does not take significant barriers to stop beta particles, and the greatest danger is again presented when beta-emitting substances are ingested (Nave 2011).