1. Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation
What is radiation?
Starter: why do scientists use symbols?
Write down as many as can think of and what they mean.

2. Learning Outcomes
explain that there are three types of radioactive emissions: alpha, beta and gamma
explain that radioactive elements are unstable and emit alpha or beta particles when they change into other elements
explain that radioactive behaviour is not changed by chemical or physical processes

3. Radiation is all around us! This is called background radiation.

4. What is everything made of ?

5. Can you name the parts of the atom?
Everything is made up of miniscule particles called ATOMS. Inside atoms are even smaller particles.
Can you name the parts of the atom?
This is the NUCLEUS.
ELECTRONS orbit the nucleus
PROTONS and NEUTRONS are found in the nucleus

6. Radioactive elements
Unstable, radioactive elements give off energy from the nucleus.
This makes the nucleus more stable.
Over time the radioactive elements become stable and therefore safe.

7. Lets investigate This is a Geiger counter.
It tells us whether there is radiation around and what sort of radiation it is.
Crushing, heating, hiding, reacting or dissolving radioactive elements will NOT reduce the radioactivity.

8. TYPES OF RADIATION
Radioactive elements are unstable so emit particles to turn into a more stable element. The particles emitted are alpha, beta and gamma.

9. Alpha

10. What do you notice?
So, an alpha particle is 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

11. Beta

12. A beta particle is a high speed electron

13. Gamma

14. These are waves not particles. They have no mass.

15. PROPERTIES
Alpha, Beta and Gamma all have different properties:
They travel different distances
Different strengths
They are stopped by different
materials.

16. Radioactivity Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Thick lead, Paper, Aluminium
Copy the diagram below and complete the arrows for each type. Then use the words at the bottom to construct an explanation in your own words.   
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Thick lead, Paper, Aluminium

17. Now : copy the table. Deflected by electric and magnetic fields?
Attracted to negative plate.
Attracted to positive plate. No

18. Complete the worksheet

19. Changing Radiation
Radioactive elements cannot be changed by chemical or physical means. It keeps being radioactive until every atom is stable.
Think about Chernobyl!

20. Task Produce a revision poster about ionising radiation.
C- included the 3 types of radiation and described what they are.
B- as for C but included some additional properties e.g. what they are penetrated by.
A – as for B but included information on background radiation.
A* - as for A but considered the dangers of ionising radiation and how we can avoid harm from them.

21. Quiz
2.A stable atom has…
Equal numbers of Protons & Electrons
Different numbers of Protons
Equal numbers of Electrons & Neutrons

22. Quiz
3.How many types of radiation are there? 3 9 2 4

23. Quiz
4.Radiation is emitted from…
All atoms
Most atoms
Unstable atoms
Stable atoms

24. Quiz
5.An alpha particle consists of…
2 protons
A high speed electron
A wave
2 protons and 2 neutrons

25. Quiz
6.Beta radiation is…
2 protons
A high speed electron
A wave
2 protons and 2 neutrons

26. Quiz
7.Gamma radiation is…
2 protons
A high speed electron
A wave
2 protons and 2 neutrons

27. Quiz
8.Alpha is stopped by…
Thick lead
Thin paper
A few cm of air
Aluminium

28. Quiz
9.Beta is stopped by…
Aluminium
Paper
Lead
Concrete

29. Quiz
10. Gamma is mostly stopped by…
A few cm of air
Thick lead
Aluminium
Paper