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the uses of gamma rays alpha and beta rays ? how is alpha and beta rays and gamma rays detected?

the uses of gamma rays alpha and beta rays ? how is alpha and beta rays and gamma rays detected?

Grade:9

2 Answers

jyoti bhatia
202 Points
7 years ago
Alpha particles are most commonly used in smoke alarms. These alarms contain a tiny amount of decaying Americium between two sheets of metal. Decaying Americium emits alpha radiation. A small electric current is then passed through one of the sheets and into second one.When field of alpha radiation is blocked by smoke, the alarm goes off. This alpha radiation is not harmful because it is very localized and any radiation that may escape would be stopped in the air and would be very difficult to get into your body.Beta radiation is mainly used in industrial processes like paper mills and aluminum foil production. A beta radiation source is placed above sheets coming out of machines while a Geiger counter or radiation reader, is placed underneath. Purpose of this is to test thickness of sheets. Because the beta radiation can only partially penetrate aluminum foil, if readings on Geiger counter are too low, it means that aluminum foil is too thick and that presses are adjusted to make sheets thinner. Likewise, if Geiger reading is too high, presses are adjusted to make sheets thicker.The blue glow produced in some nuclear power plant pools is due to high-speed beta particles moving faster than that of light traveling through water. This can occur because light travels at 75% its typical speed when in water and beta radiation can, thus, exceed this speed without breaking speed of light.Alpha particles are released by high mass, proton rich unstable nuclei. Alpha particle is a helium nucleus; it consists of two protons and two neutrons. It contains no electrons to balance the two positively charged protons. Alpha particles are therefore positively charged particles moving at high speeds.Beta particles are emitted by neutron rich unstable nuclei. Beta particles are high-energy electrons. These electrons are not electrons from electron shells around the nucleus but are generated when a neutron in nucleus splits to form a proton and an accompanying electron. Beta particles are negatively charged.
Umakant biswal
5349 Points
7 years ago
X-rays, gamma rays and beta particles are all used in medicine to treat internal organs. X-rays are produced by firing electrons at a metal target and gamma rays are emitted by the nucleus of radioactive atoms. Gamma rays are used to kill cancer cells, to sterilise medical equipment and in radioactive tracers. 
Ionisation is useful for smoke detectors. Radioactive americium releases alpha radiation, which ionises the air inside the detector. Smoke from a fire absorbs alpha radiation, altering the ionisation and triggering the alarm. 
HOPE IT CLEARS 
ALL THE BEST 
 

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