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Summary of different types of radiation

Summary of different types of radiation
Radiation
Ionizing radiation		Non-ionizing radiation
Particle radiation	High energy electronmagnetic wave	Low energy electronmagnetic wave	Ultrasound
α particle β particle neutron	X ray γ ray	Ultraviolet Visible light Infrared Microwave Radiowave	Ultrasound

Properties of ionizing radiation

Properties of ionizing radiation
Name	Source	Nature	Charge	Penetrating power
Alpha (α) particles	Radioactive decay	A helium nucleus	2+	A sheet of paper or the outer layer of skin can stop α particles
Beta (β) particles	Radioactive decay	An electron	1-/1+	A sheet of aluminium a few millimeters thick can stop β particles
Neutrons	Nuclear reactor	A neutron	Nil	Hydrogen-rich materials, such as paraffin or water, can stop neutrons
Gamma (γ) rays	Radioactive decay	High energy electromagnetic wave	Nil	High density materials, such as thick barriers of concrete, can stop γ rays
X-rays	Electron excitation	High energy electromagnetic wave	Nil	High density materials, such as thick barriers of concrete, can stop X-rays

Common types of radionuclides

Common types of radionuclides
Radionuclide	Atomic number	α particles	β particles	γ rays
Tritium	1	No	Yes	No
Cobalt-60	27	No	Yes	Yes
Strontium-90	38	No	Yes	No
Technetium-99	43	No	Yes	No
Iodine-131	53	No	Yes	Yes
Cesium-137	55	No	Yes	Yes
Radon-222	86	Yes	No	Yes
Radium-226	88	Yes	No	Yes
Thorium-232	90	Yes	No	Yes
Uranium-238	92	Yes	No	Yes
Plutonium-236	94	Yes	No	Yes
Americium-241	95	Yes	No	Yes

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