TYPES OF IONISING RADIATION

Alpha Radiation
Particulate
Emitted from the nucleus
Consists of two protons and two neutrons
+2 charge

Beta Radiation
Particulate
Emitted from the nucleus
Same size as an electron
Either +1 or –1 charge

Gamma Radiation
Electromagnetic
Emitted from the nucleus of an atom
No charge

X-Ray Radiation
Electromagnetic
Emitted from orbital electron cloud of an atom
No charge

Neutron radiation
Particulate
Emitted from the nucleus of an atom
No charge

Dose for dose, some types of radiation cause more biological damage than others.
Internally deposited alpha-emitters are more damaging than beta- or gamma-emitters for the same energy deposited