Chapter 20, Problem 20.59QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: It should be compared the extent of radiation damage done by $\text{α}$, $\text{β}$ and $\text{γ}$ sources.

Concept Introduction:

• Unstable nuclei emit radiation spontaneously to become stable nuclei by losing energy. This process of emission of radiation by unstable nuclei is known as radioactive decay.
• These emitted radiations may be alpha radiations( $\text{α}$), beta radiations( $\text{β}$) or gamma radiations( $\text{γ}$)
• These unstable nuclei are the nuclei with more than 83 protons and which do not lie within the belt of stability.

To arrange: Increasing order of extent of radiation damage done by $\text{α}$, $\text{β}$ and $\text{γ}$ source