What are the three types of particle radiation?

The classification of particle radiation includes alpha, beta, and neutron radiation. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, making them relatively heavy and positively charged. They are emitted during specific types of radioactive decay, particularly by heavy elements such as uranium and radium.

Beta radiation arises from the transformation of a neutron into a proton within an unstable atomic nucleus, which results in the emission of an electron (beta-minus decay) or a positron (beta-plus decay). This type of radiation is lighter than alpha particles and carries a negative or positive charge depending on the type of beta decay.

Neutron radiation is composed of free neutrons that are emitted from an atomic nucleus during certain types of radioactive decay, especially in fission processes. Neutrons are neutral particles, which means they do not carry any electric charge.

Understanding the different types of particle radiation is crucial in fields such as nuclear safety, radiation protection, and health physics, as the interaction of these particles with matter varies significantly, influencing their biological effects and the methods used for shielding against them.