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  2. Alpha particle - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_particle

    Alpha particle. Alpha particles, also called alpha rays or alpha radiation, consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium-4 nucleus. [5] They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay but may also be produced in other ways. Alpha particles are named after the first letter in the Greek ...

  3. Radiation - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation

    Alpha radiation is dangerous when alpha-emitting radioisotopes are ingested or inhaled (breathed or swallowed). This brings the radioisotope close enough to sensitive live tissue for the alpha radiation to damage cells. Per unit of energy, alpha particles are at least 20 times more effective at cell-damage as gamma rays and X-rays.

  4. Alpha decay - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_decay

    v. t. e. Alpha decay or α-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms or "decays" into a different atomic nucleus, with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is reduced by two. An alpha particle is identical to the nucleus of a helium ...

  5. Ionizing radiation - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing_radiation

    Ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation (US, ionising radiation in the UK), including nuclear radiation, consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that have sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules by detaching electrons from them. [1] Some particles can travel up to 99% of the speed of light, and the electromagnetic waves ...

  6. Radioactive decay - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_decay

    Nuclear physics. Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration, or nuclear disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. A material containing unstable nuclei is considered radioactive. Three of the most common types of decay are alpha, beta, and gamma ...

  7. Radioactive contamination - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_contamination

    The hazard from contamination is the emission of ionizing radiation. The principal radiations which will be encountered are alpha, beta and gamma, but these have quite different characteristics. They have widely differing penetrating powers and radiation effects, and the accompanying diagram shows the penetration of these radiations in simple ...

  8. Acute radiation syndrome - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_radiation_syndrome

    Acute radiation syndrome (ARS), also known as radiation sickness or radiation poisoning, is a collection of health effects that are caused by being exposed to high amounts of ionizing radiation in a short period of time. [1] Symptoms can start within an hour of exposure, and can last for several months. [1][3][5] Early symptoms are usually ...

  9. Radiation damage - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_damage

    Radiation damage is the effect of ionizing radiation on physical objects including non-living structural materials. It can be either detrimental or beneficial for materials. Radiobiology is the study of the action of ionizing radiation on living things, including the health effects of radiation in humans.