| There are three types of radiation alpha, beta radioactivity and gamma radioactivity. Radiation alpha have high energy but, due to their large mass, they are stopped by just a few inches of air, or a piece of paper. Beta radioactivity are fast moving electrons. They typically have energies in the range of a electrons are might lighter than helium atoms, they are able to penetrate further, through several feet of air, or several millimeters of plastic or less of very light metals. Gamma radiation just like light, except of much higher energy. X-Rays and gamma rays are really the same thing, but it depends on their energy. They can be stopped by a thin piece of aluminum foil, or they can penetrate several inches of lead. |
