Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

11. Nuclear Chemistry

Types of Radiation

GOB Chemistry

11. Nuclear Chemistry

Types of Radiation

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2:48 minutes

Problem 11c

Textbook Question

Match the type of radiation (1 to 3) with each of the following statements:
1. alpha particle
2. beta particle
3. gamma radiation
c. can be very harmful if ingested

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the types of radiation: Alpha particles (1) are heavy and consist of two protons and two neutrons, beta particles (2) are high-energy electrons, and gamma radiation (3) is electromagnetic radiation with high energy.

Recall the properties of alpha particles: They are large and have low penetration power, but they can cause significant damage if ingested due to their high ionizing ability.

Consider beta particles: They are smaller and have moderate penetration power, but their ionizing ability is less than alpha particles.

Evaluate gamma radiation: It has the highest penetration power but the lowest ionizing ability compared to alpha and beta particles.

Match the statement 'can be very harmful if ingested' with alpha particles (1), as their high ionizing ability makes them particularly dangerous when inside the body.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Alpha Particles

Alpha particles are positively charged particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons, essentially helium nuclei. They have low penetration power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of human skin. However, if ingested or inhaled, they can cause significant damage to internal tissues due to their high mass and charge, making them particularly harmful in such scenarios.

Beta Particles

Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted during radioactive decay. They have greater penetration power than alpha particles, capable of passing through paper but can be stopped by materials like plastic or glass. While they can cause damage to living tissues, their harm is generally less severe than that of alpha particles when ingested, as they are less ionizing.

Gamma Radiation

Gamma radiation consists of high-energy electromagnetic waves emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom. Unlike alpha and beta particles, gamma rays have no mass or charge, allowing them to penetrate most materials, including human tissue. This makes gamma radiation particularly dangerous, as it can cause cellular damage and increase cancer risk, especially when exposure is prolonged or at high doses.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

All the elements beyond uranium, the transuranium elements, have been prepared by bombardment and are not naturally occurring elements. The first transuranium element neptunium, Np, was prepared by bombarding U-238 with neutrons to form a neptunium atom and a beta particle. Complete the following equation:

¹₀n + ²³⁸₉₂U →? + ?

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