Types of radiation.

In our time, there are three types of radioactive radiation: alpha, beta, gamma.

How are they formed?

All of the above types of radiation are the product of the decay of isotopes of simple substances. The atoms of all elements consist of a nucleus and electrons that rotate around it. The nucleus is the least atom a hundred thousand times, but, due to its extremely high density, its mass is almost equal to the aggregate mass of the entire atom. The nucleus contains positively charged particles - protons and neutrons that do not have an electric charge. Both are interlinked very tightly. According to the number of protons in the nucleus, it is determined to which chemical element the given atom belongs, for example - 1 proton in the nucleus is hydrogen, 8 protons - oxygen, 92 protons - uranium. The number of electrons in an atom corresponds to the number of protons in its nucleus. Each electron has a negative electric charge equal to the charge of the proton, for this reason the atom as a whole is neutral.

Those atoms that have nuclei that are the same in number of protons, but differ in the number of neutrons, are variants of one chemical substance and are called its isotopes. In order to somehow distinguish them from the symbol denoting the element, a number is assigned that is the sum of all the particles in the nucleus of this isotope. For example, the core of the element uranium-238 includes 92 protons, as well as 146 neutrons, and uranium-235, as well as 92 protons, but neutrons are already 143. Most isotopes are unstable. For example, uranium-238, the connections between protons and neutrons in the nucleus are very weak and sooner or later a compact group consisting of a pair of neutrons and a pair of protons will separate from it, transforming uranium-238 into another element-thorium-234, also an unstable element, The nucleus of which contains 144 neutrons and 90 protons. Its decay will continue the chain of transformations, which will stop the formation of the lead atom. During each of these decays, the energy that generates various kinds of radioactive emissions is released.

If we simplify the situation, then it is possible to describe the appearance of different types of radiation: alpha rays emit a nucleus that consists of a pair of neutrons and a pair of protons, beta rays emanate from an electron. And there are situations in which the isotope is so excited that the yield of the particle does not completely stabilize it, and then it drops one excess of pure energy, this process is called gamma radiation. Such types of radiation, as gamma rays, and similar to them x-ray, are formed without the emission of material particles. The time necessary for the decay of half of all the atoms of any particular isotope in any radioactive source is called the half-life. The process of atomic transformations is continuous, and its activity is estimated by the number of decays that occurred in one second and is measured in becquerels (1 atom per second).

Different types of radiation are characterized by the release of a different volume of energy, and the penetrating ability of them is also different, therefore, they also influence the tissues of living organisms unequally.

Alpha radiation, which is a stream of heavy particles, can hold up even a piece of paper, it is unable to penetrate the layer of dead cells of the epidermis. It is not dangerous as long as the substances that emit alpha particles do not enter the body through the wounds or through food and / or inhaled air. Then they will become extremely dangerous.

Beta-radiation is able to penetrate 1-2 tissues into tissues of a living organism.

Gamma rays that move at light speed are the most dangerous and can only be stopped by a thick plate of lead or concrete.

All kinds of radiation can cause damage to the living organism, and they will be the more, the more energy was transferred to the tissues.

With various accidents at nuclear facilities and during hostilities involving the use of nuclear weapons, the damaging factors affecting the organism are important to be considered in the complex. In addition to the obvious physical effects on a person, various types of electromagnetic radiation are also detrimental.