Physics SL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Physics SL
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Ionizing Radiation Properties: Understanding Alpha, Beta & Gamma
617 words
4 mins read
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024
Table of content
What is Ionizing Radiation? 🌌
-
Ionizing radiation includes
- Alpha particles (α) ✨
- Beta-minus (β-) and Beta-plus (β+) particles 🌀
- Gamma (γ) photons 🌈
-
They are called “ionizing” because
- They can ionize material as they move through it.
- Ionizing = Turning neutral atoms into positively charged ions & free electrons. 🔄
🌍 Real-World Example: Imagine these particles are like mini-bowling balls knocking out pins (electrons) from their spots, turning them 'active'!
Energy Transfer & Kinetic Energy ⚡
-
Alpha and Beta particles
- When they ionize matter, they lose kinetic energy.
- In simpler words, they slow down 🐢 after hitting things.
-
Gamma photons, being light-speed travelers
- They move at the speed of light in a given medium! 🌠
- Their energy loss can either be
- Complete (absorbed entirely) 🌑.
- Experience a frequency shift (like tuning a radio to a different station). 📻
- This is called Compton scattering. Picture it like a dance between a photon and an electron. The electron gets energized and the photon slows its groove (changes frequency).
Alpha Particles - The Heavy Hitters 🎳
- They're like the sumo wrestlers of the particle world because
- They have the most mass among emitted particles.
- They boast the largest charge.
- Given a set amount of energy
- They are the slowest travelers 🐌.
- They interact a lot with neighboring atoms because of their size & charge.
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Physics SL
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Ionizing Radiation Properties: Understanding Alpha, Beta & Gamma
617 words
4 mins read
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024
Table of content
What is Ionizing Radiation? 🌌
-
Ionizing radiation includes
- Alpha particles (α) ✨
- Beta-minus (β-) and Beta-plus (β+) particles 🌀
- Gamma (γ) photons 🌈
-
They are called “ionizing” because
- They can ionize material as they move through it.
- Ionizing = Turning neutral atoms into positively charged ions & free electrons. 🔄
🌍 Real-World Example: Imagine these particles are like mini-bowling balls knocking out pins (electrons) from their spots, turning them 'active'!
Energy Transfer & Kinetic Energy ⚡
-
Alpha and Beta particles
- When they ionize matter, they lose kinetic energy.
- In simpler words, they slow down 🐢 after hitting things.
-
Gamma photons, being light-speed travelers
- They move at the speed of light in a given medium! 🌠
- Their energy loss can either be
- Complete (absorbed entirely) 🌑.
- Experience a frequency shift (like tuning a radio to a different station). 📻
- This is called Compton scattering. Picture it like a dance between a photon and an electron. The electron gets energized and the photon slows its groove (changes frequency).
Alpha Particles - The Heavy Hitters 🎳
- They're like the sumo wrestlers of the particle world because
- They have the most mass among emitted particles.
- They boast the largest charge.
- Given a set amount of energy
- They are the slowest travelers 🐌.
- They interact a lot with neighboring atoms because of their size & charge.
Unlock the Full Content!
Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟
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