– Why are alpha- and beta radiation referred as particles, whilst gamma radiation as rays?
In: Physics
Because one is high frequency light, and therfore “ray” describes it, and the other two are forms of nuclear radiation, which is the parts of atoms flying at high speed.
Look at a cloud chamber video. The smoke trails coming off radioactive material are nuclear radiation, and that is what is so dangerous. Particles like that can penetrate your body and collide with your DNA, destroying it. This can happen very rapidly, which is why just being exposed to high levels of radiation is a death sentence, and not a nice one.
Look up “radium girls” for a horrible story and pictures of just how damaging it can be.
Gamma rays are also very dangerous, but thankfully they aren’t created around here very much. You can survive a bit of UV exposure, but I’m not sure you want to try being hit with a gamma ray even for a second.
Latest Answers