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by jve 1127 days ago
What's the difference between alpha/beta/gamma and which is of concern?
1 comments

Alpha has the shortest range and can be blocked by a piece of paper. Alpha radiation consists of protons.

Gamma goes through most things and has the highest range. Gamma consists of electro magnetic radiation.

Beta is somewhere in the middle. It consists of electrons.

All are of concern, but Alfa is mainly of concern if ingested or inhaled. This is because all the radiation will be absorbed by your body, while most gamma would just escape. Gamma is of more concern outside the body, due to its reach.

I may remember some details wrong. I last learned about this in school a decade ago.

> Alpha radiation consists of protons.

Alpha radiation is helium-4 nucleus - two protons and two neutrons.

> Beta is somewhere in the middle. It consists of electrons.

Beta is either electron (β− decay) or positron (β+ decay)