Types of Ionizing Radiation

Work in Progress - this chart far from complete

Name Symbol Symbol in Transmutation formula Emmission Charge Relative Penetrating Power (aprox) Example(s) Energy Explanation and Notes Application  
Alpha     Helium nucleus +2e

1

stopped by skin or paper however very damaging since it is very ionizing

  carried away on the alpha particle      
Beta B+   high speed electron -e

100

penetrates human tissue to 1 cm, stopped by aluminum

         
B-                  
Gamma     high energy photon (shorter wavelength than x-ray)(electromagnetic wave) 0

10000

highly penetrating but not very ionizing

         

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