Properties of α, β and γ particles

Properties	α	β	γ
Origin	Nucleus	Nucleus	Nucleus
Nature	Positively charged	Negatively charged	Neutral
Composition	He⁴	1ᵉᴼ	Photo
Mass	6.4 x 10⁻³¹ kg	9.1 x 10⁻³¹ kg	Zero
Charge	+2e	-e	Zero
Chemical effect	Affects photo graphic plate	Affects photographic plate	Affects photo graphic plate
Effect of electric and magnetic field	Deflected	Deflected	No effect
Penetrating power	minimum	In between the other  two	Maximum
Ionizing power	Maximum	In between the other two	Minimum
Velocity	Between 1.4 x 10⁷ m/s to 2.2 x 10⁷ m/s	1% to 99% of velocity  of light	3 x 10⁸ m/s

With the emission an α-particle, atomic number is decreased by 2 and mass member is decreased by 4.

With the emission of a β- particle atomic number is increased by one and mass number does not change.

The effect on mass number and stomic number with the emission of α, β and γ rays is decided by Group-displacement law or Soddy –Fajan Law.

Radioactivity is detected by G.M. Counter.

The time in which half nuclei of the element is decayed is called half life of the radioactive  substance.

Cloud chamber: cloud chamber is used to detect the presence and kinetic energy of radioactive particles. It was discovered by C.R.T. Wilson .

Radioactive carbon -14 is used to measure the  age of fossils and plants. (Carbon dating) In this metho age is decided by measuring the ratio of ₆ C¹² and ₆C ¹⁴.