Homework Help: Radioactivity

Posted by Lana on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 2:42pm.

When first discovered alpha, beta, and gamma radioactivity were referred to as alpha rays, beta rays, and gamma rays. Now we refer to alpha particles and beta particles, but still use the term gamma rays. What type of particles are alpha and beta commonly known as? What type of ray is gamma commonly known as?

I tried searching for this online but am having a really difficult time finding it. Can someone please help me?

Radioactivity - Mark, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 3:08pm
helium nuclei?
positron/electron?
photon?

im not too shure.
Radioactivity - DrBob222, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 3:34pm
Beta particles (known as beta rays before we knew what they were) actually are particles. They are electrons. Alpha particles,(known as rays when they were first discovered) actually are particles also. They are helium nuclei, a helium atom minus the two electrons. Gamma rays really are rays. They are electromagnetic radiation.
Radioactivity - Damon, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 3:35pm
Close enough Mark.

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