What are the uses and dangers of alpha, beta and gamma radiation?
Alpha and Beta particles are bad for you, but they usually will not penetrate through your body, since they are just single particles coming at you. Gamma RAYS, are short wavelengths of dangerously decaying particles. Alpha: Because of the short range of absorption, alphas are not generally dangerous to life unless the source is ingested or inhaled, in which case, they become extremely dangerous. Beta: Beta particles are able to penetrate living matter to a certain extent (radiation intensity from a small source of radioactive material decreases as one over the distance squared) and can change the structure of struck molecules. Gamma: All ionizing radiation causes similar damage at a cellular level, but because alpha and beta rays are relatively non-penetrating, external exposure to them causes only localized damage, e.g. radiation burns to the skin. Gamma rays and neutrons are more penetrating, causing diffuse damage throughout the body (e.g. radiation sickness, increased incidence of
