Properties of a-Rays
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(i) a-rays consists of a-particles carrying double positive charge having a mass roughly four times that of hydrogen atom.
(ii) Due to large mass, their penetrating power is very small.
(iii) Due to large mass and velocity they have a large ionizing power.
(iv)
a- rays produce fluorescence in certain substances.
(v) a- particles affect photographic plate.
(vi)
a-rays are deflected by electric and magnetic fields.
Properties of b - Rays
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(i) b-rays consist of negatively charged particles and have the same mass as that of an electron.
(ii) Since their velocities are 1/10
th of the speed of light they are considered as fast moving electrons.
(iii) The penetrating power of b-particles is larger than that of a -particles.
(iv) The
b-particles can ionise the gas through which they pass, but their ionising power is only 1/100
th of
a-particles.
(v) The range of b-particles in air is several meters and is greater than a-particles.
(vi)
b-particles can also produce fluorescence.
(vii) They affect a photographic plate.
(viii) They are also deflected by electric and magnetic field showing that they carry a negative charge.
Properties of g - Rays
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(i) g-rays are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields and this shows that they do not have any charge.
(ii) The rest mass of
g-ray photon is zero.
(iii) The g-rays travel with the speed of light.
(iv)
g-rays have a very large penetrating power and small ionizing power.
(v) g-rays also produces fluorescence.
(vi)
g-rays affect photographic plate more than
a or
b-particles.
(vii) g-rays can produce nuclear reactions.
