What are radioactive rays?
In everyday life, people talk about radioactive rays especially when a disaster has occurred. Few, however, know what more precise meaning is hidden behind these rays. Here is a definition and some explanation of the matter
Our body is already used to natural radioactivity, which is present both in the ground (in the form of radioactive isotopes in the rock) and in the air (the remains of cosmic rays). However, radioactive disasters, where high-energy radiation is given off by nuclear fission, lead to serious damage to health. These radioactive particles are particularly dangerous for people within reach of the disaster area.
This is what happens with nuclear fission
- Nuclear fission is all about unstable atoms breaking up into other unstable atoms that are strong ones in the process energy hand over.
- The energy released is called ionizing radiation. But expressions such as high-energy particles or gamma radiation are also used for this.
- If such ionizing radiation comes into contact with a human body, this leads to a disruption of cell division and thus to changes in cells and tissue.
Three types of radioactive rays
The three types of radioactive radiation, alpha, beta and gamma, have different effects in terms of their range, their magnetic deflectability and their penetrability. While the alpha and beta particles belong to radiation ponds, the gamma rays are assigned to electromagnetic waves.
X-rays and radioactive radiation are both dangerous to humans, will ...
- Alpha particles are made up of two positive protons and two neutral neutrons. Although the particles only have a short range of a few centimeters, they are very harmful to health. In this case, however, paper or aluminum foil is sufficient to shield them.
- Beta particle decay: Everything here revolves around negatively charged electrons that are ejected from the nucleus. The range of these radioactive rays is a few meters and they have a higher penetrability than the alpha rays. The much more difficult containment is done using plastic sheets (a few millimeters thick).
- Gamma particles: occur when alpha and beta particles disintegrate and emit excess radiation in the process. The gamma radiation has the greatest range and high penetrability. Only thick concrete walls can contain them.
The particles are dangerous to health
- The beta and gamma rays enter the body through the skin or through breathing. Even low-dose radiation can lead to changes in the genetic make-up and cause cancer.
- High doses of radiation cause fever, internal bleeding, nausea and skin burns.
