20,345
edits
Changes
Created page with "==Key Stage 4== ===Meaning=== An '''beta particle''' ('''β-particle''') is a type of ionising radiation made of an electron emitted from the ..."
==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
An '''beta particle''' ('''β-particle''') is a type of [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiation]] made of an [[electron]] [[emit]]ted from the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] of an [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotope]] when a [[neutron]] turns into a [[proton]].
===About Beta Particles===
: '''Beta particles''' may also be referred to as '''beta radiation''' and is written with the symbol '''β'''.
: '''Beta particles''' are a fast moving [[electron]] [[emit]]ted from the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] of an [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotope]].
: '''Beta particles''' have a [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] of 1/2000 (which is so much smaller than a [[nucleon]] that it is usually referred to as 0) and [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative charge]] of -1.
: '''Beta particles''' are [[emit]]ted when a [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] is too large or the [[ratio]] of [[neutron]]s to [[proton]]s is too large (too many [[neutron]]s).
====Charge and Mass====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaParticleCharge.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |Scientist were able to determine the [[Electrical Charge|charge]] and [[mass]] of a [[Beta Particle|β-particle]]s by sending it between two [[Electrical Charge|electrically charged]] plates and observing its path.
The '''β-particle''' moves towards the [[Positive Charge|positive]] plate, so it must be [[Positive Charge|positively charged]]. The rate of curvature depends on the [[mass]]:[[Electrical Charge|charge]] [[ratio]] which indicates it has a [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] of 1/2000 and [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative charge]] of -1.
|}
====Penetration Depth====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaPenetrationAir.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |[[Beta Particle|Beta particles]] can travel several [[metre]]s through [[air]] ([[STP]]) before [[colliding]] with and [[ionising]] [[atom]]s or [[molecule]]s.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaPenetration.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |[[Beta Particle|Beta particles]] can penetrate paper but are stopped by around 5mm thickness of [[metal]] foil.
|}
====Ionising Potential====
: With a [[Electrical Charge|charge]] of -1, '''β-particles''' are the second most [[Ionising Radiation|ionising]] of the three [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiations]]. It is capable of knocking out more than one [[electron]] from different [[atom]]s or [[molecule]]s as it has a large amount of [[Kinetic Energy Store|kinetic energy]].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaIonise.png|center|500px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |When a [[Beta Particle|beta particle]] interacts with an [[atom]] the [[Beta Particle|beta minus particle]] can pass on some of its [[Kinetic Energy Store|kinetic energy]] to an [[electron]] in the [[Outer Shell|outer shell]] causing the [[electron]] to escape '''ionising''' the [[atom]]. This may happen more than once if the [[Beta Particle|beta particle]] [[collide]]s with another [[atom]] with enough [[energy]].
|}
===Precautions===
: [[Beta Particle|Beta radiation]] is the second most [[Ionising Radiation|ionising]] and the second most [[Penetration Depth|penetrating]].
: [[Beta Particle|Beta]] sources are kept inside a block of [[lead]] with a hole that only allows the [[Beta Particle|beta particles]] out in one direction.
: Outside the body an [[organism]] cannot easily be protected from [[Beta Particle|beta radiation]] as it travels several [[metre]]s through the [[air]] and needs a [[metal]] barrier to block it. [[Beta Particle|beta radiation]] can pass through the [[skin]] and [[Ionising Radiation|ionise]] [[tissue]] deep within the body.
: When handling a source of [[Beta Particle|beta radiation]] the precautions which should be taken are:
:*Wear gloves - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]].
:*Use tongs to handle the source, never touch it - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]].
:*Stand behind a [[metal]] screen - to prevent [[irradiation]].
:*Aim the source away from any living [[organism]] - to prevent [[irradiation]].
:*Store the source in a sealed container - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]] and [[irradiation]].
===Applications===
===Meaning===
An '''beta particle''' ('''β-particle''') is a type of [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiation]] made of an [[electron]] [[emit]]ted from the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] of an [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotope]] when a [[neutron]] turns into a [[proton]].
===About Beta Particles===
: '''Beta particles''' may also be referred to as '''beta radiation''' and is written with the symbol '''β'''.
: '''Beta particles''' are a fast moving [[electron]] [[emit]]ted from the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] of an [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotope]].
: '''Beta particles''' have a [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] of 1/2000 (which is so much smaller than a [[nucleon]] that it is usually referred to as 0) and [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative charge]] of -1.
: '''Beta particles''' are [[emit]]ted when a [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] is too large or the [[ratio]] of [[neutron]]s to [[proton]]s is too large (too many [[neutron]]s).
====Charge and Mass====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaParticleCharge.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |Scientist were able to determine the [[Electrical Charge|charge]] and [[mass]] of a [[Beta Particle|β-particle]]s by sending it between two [[Electrical Charge|electrically charged]] plates and observing its path.
The '''β-particle''' moves towards the [[Positive Charge|positive]] plate, so it must be [[Positive Charge|positively charged]]. The rate of curvature depends on the [[mass]]:[[Electrical Charge|charge]] [[ratio]] which indicates it has a [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] of 1/2000 and [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative charge]] of -1.
|}
====Penetration Depth====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaPenetrationAir.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |[[Beta Particle|Beta particles]] can travel several [[metre]]s through [[air]] ([[STP]]) before [[colliding]] with and [[ionising]] [[atom]]s or [[molecule]]s.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaPenetration.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |[[Beta Particle|Beta particles]] can penetrate paper but are stopped by around 5mm thickness of [[metal]] foil.
|}
====Ionising Potential====
: With a [[Electrical Charge|charge]] of -1, '''β-particles''' are the second most [[Ionising Radiation|ionising]] of the three [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiations]]. It is capable of knocking out more than one [[electron]] from different [[atom]]s or [[molecule]]s as it has a large amount of [[Kinetic Energy Store|kinetic energy]].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:BetaIonise.png|center|500px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |When a [[Beta Particle|beta particle]] interacts with an [[atom]] the [[Beta Particle|beta minus particle]] can pass on some of its [[Kinetic Energy Store|kinetic energy]] to an [[electron]] in the [[Outer Shell|outer shell]] causing the [[electron]] to escape '''ionising''' the [[atom]]. This may happen more than once if the [[Beta Particle|beta particle]] [[collide]]s with another [[atom]] with enough [[energy]].
|}
===Precautions===
: [[Beta Particle|Beta radiation]] is the second most [[Ionising Radiation|ionising]] and the second most [[Penetration Depth|penetrating]].
: [[Beta Particle|Beta]] sources are kept inside a block of [[lead]] with a hole that only allows the [[Beta Particle|beta particles]] out in one direction.
: Outside the body an [[organism]] cannot easily be protected from [[Beta Particle|beta radiation]] as it travels several [[metre]]s through the [[air]] and needs a [[metal]] barrier to block it. [[Beta Particle|beta radiation]] can pass through the [[skin]] and [[Ionising Radiation|ionise]] [[tissue]] deep within the body.
: When handling a source of [[Beta Particle|beta radiation]] the precautions which should be taken are:
:*Wear gloves - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]].
:*Use tongs to handle the source, never touch it - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]].
:*Stand behind a [[metal]] screen - to prevent [[irradiation]].
:*Aim the source away from any living [[organism]] - to prevent [[irradiation]].
:*Store the source in a sealed container - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]] and [[irradiation]].
===Applications===