Types of Ionizing Radiation

Approximate energy X-rays:

0-10 MeV

Approximate range in air Beta particles

0-10 m

Approximate range in soft tissue Gamma rays and x-rays

0-30 cm (gamma rays)

Approximate energy Gamma rays

0-5 MeV

Approximate range in air Alpha particles

1-10 cm

Approximate range in air Gamma rays and x-rays

: 0-100 m

Approximate range in soft tissue Beta particles

: 0-2 cm

Approximate energy of Beta particles

: 0-7 MeV

Approximate energy Alpha particles:

: 4-7 MeV

Origin Alpha particles

: Heavy radioactive nuclei

Origin X-rays

Electron cloud

Alpha particles

Have 4 atomic mass units Positive in charge Originates from the nucleus of heavy elements Least penetrating form of ionizing radiation

Beta particles

Have an atomic mass of zero Have one unit of negative charge Originates in the nucleus of radioactive atoms

Origin Beta particles

Radioactive nuclei

Origin Gamma rays

Radioactive nuclei (gamma rays) This is the only difference between gamma rays and x-rays

Approximate range in soft tissue Alpha particles:

Up to 0.1 mm

X-rays are produced in the

electron shell

X-rays and gamma rays are the only forms of ionizing electromagnetic radiation of

of radiologic interest

X-rays and Gamma rays are types of electromagnetic radiation called

photons

gamma rays are emitted from

the nucleus of a radioisotope

Photon radiation loses intensity with

with distance but never reaches zero They have no mass and no charge