Physics Unit 2 Revision (Higher tier)

++++++++++++++Gamma decay (γ) is where a gamma ray (part of the electromagnetic spectrum)is emitted from the atom. Gamma rays have no charge and no mass. Gamma isthe least ionising form of radiationTip for remembering: Gamma has 2 m’s beside each other which looks like awave (mm - ).There are different sources that can give outradiation and radiation has been measured by geigercounters even when there was no known source ofradiation around. This called background radiationand some sources are natural and others are man made.We can tell what radiation is emitted depending on howit gets deflected in a magnetic and electric field.BetaGammaAlpha- - - - - - - - - - - - - --As a beta particle has a negative charge it will be repelled by the negativelycharged plate and attracted to the positively charged plate. As a gamma ray ispart of the electromagnetic spectrum and has no charge it will pass straightthrough. As an alpha particle has a positive charge it will be repelled by thepositively charged plate and attracted to the negatively charged plate.The different types ofradiation emitted fromisotopes can be stopped bydifferent substances. Itdepends on how penetratingthe radiation is. Alphaparticles can be stopped by