What is the difference between alpha and gamma radiation?

Book A Demo Class

Radioactivity is an act of emitting radiation spontaneously. It is an unstable atomic nucleus to achieve a stable configuration by giving up some of its energy. During radioactivity, three primary types of radiation are emitted by radioactive particles including alpha, beta, and gamma.

The three major radiation types emitted by radioactive particles include

Alpha
Beta
Gama

These radiations are released from the atom’s nucleus and are emitted by the atom because of an unstable atom trying to gain stability.

And even their behaviors differ from one another. So, let us take a closer look at each type.

Alpha Particles

Alpha particles are the largest particles with the least penetrative power. It carries a positive charge and comprises two protons and two neutrons bound together. An alpha particle later got recognized as helium 4 nucleus.

These particles have the greatest mass among the other types of radioactive emissions. An alpha particle’s mass is around 8000 times more than the beta particle’s mass. This large size of an alpha particle reduces its penetrative power.

Properties of alpha particles

Alpha particles are heavy, positive, and slow in movement.
The alpha particle’s travel speed is five to seven percent of the speed of light.
In cancer treatment, radiotherapy uses alpha particles to kill cancer cells.

Beta Particles

Beta particles are high-energy positrons or electrons carrying a negative charge. These are considerably smaller in size and have higher penetrative power.

Properties of Beta particles

Beta particles are used as a trace for medical imaging
Beta particles carry a positive charge namely a positron or a negative charge namely an electron
Due to their small mass, beta particles travel at the speed of light
Beta particles have therapeutic uses in eye cancer and bone treatment.

Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are not particles with a mass. These are a kind of electromagnetic radiation which are considerably higher in energy as compared to X-rays. Being a form of energy, gamma rays have no mass and size. But these are far more harmful to humans as compared to the X-rays. However, the charge of gamma rays is neutral.

Properties of Gamma particles

Gamma particles have no mass
Gamma particles have no electrical charge
It can also travel at the speed of light
Gamma rays are used for sterilizing medical instruments and oncology.

Comparison chart

Basis for comparison	Alpha	Beta	Gamma
Representation	α	β	γ
Charge	It is positively charged	It is positively or negatively charged	It has no charge
Basic	It is similar to helium nucleus because of protons presence	It is a positron or an electron	It’s a photon that carries electromagnetic energy.
Propagating speed	It is very less than the velocity of light	It is a little less than the velocity of light	It is equal to the velocity of light
Size	It’s quite large	It is comparatively small	It is extremely minute because it is massless.
Mass	6.65*10-27 Kg	9.10*10-31 Kg	0
Application	In an unsealed source radiotherapy	In monitoring material thickness	In nuclear industry