Basic Radiation Physics

1.3. Electron interactions

Early in the 20th century scientists realised that all matter is made up of atoms. As a result
of an experiment carried out by his assistants, Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden, Ernest
Rutherford suggested a model for the atom.
• In an elastic collision the incident
electron is deflected from its
original path but no energy loss
occurs.

• In an inelastic collision with orbital

electron the incident electron is
deflected from its original path and
loses part of its kinetic energy.

• In an inelastic collision with

nucleus the incident electron is
deflected from its original path and
loses part of its kinetic energy in
the form of bremsstrahlung.

1 - 1.3 Slide 3
• The angular distribution of the emitted bremsstrahlung
photons is in general proportional to:

sin2 
(1−  cos  )5

• At small particle velocity (v  c, i.e.,  = ( / c) → 0) the angular

distribution of emitted photons is proportional to sin2  .
• Angle max at which the photon intensity is maximum is:

 1 
max = arccos  ( 1+ 15 − 1) 
 3 
1 - 1.3.2 Slide 4
 Elements having an atomic number greater than 84 such
as plutonium (Z = 94), Radium (Z = 88), Uranium (Z = 92)
etc. are unstable by nature. These elements continuously
emit different types of powerful radiations. This
phenomenon is known as radioactivity.

•Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation

Radiation is distinguished in two main categories: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation is of high energy, capable of penetrating matter, to produce ionization of

the atoms, to break chemical bonds and cause harm in living matter. These include X-rays
and γ-rays
•Non-ionizing radiation is of lower energy, not capable of causing ionization.Non-ionizing
radiation ranges from extremely low frequency radiation, shown on the far left through the
audible, microwave, and visible portions of the spectrum into the ultraviolet range.
•Natural sources of background radiation include:
Cosmic rays - radiation that reaches the Earth from space
•Rocks and soil - some rocks are radioactive and give off radioactive radon gas
•Living things - plants absorb radioactive materials from the soil and these pass up the food
chain

There are 3 types of ionising radiation:

ALPHA - α - is a helium nucleus, 2 protons

and 2 neutrons. It has mass of 4 a.m.u. and
a strong positive charge of +2

BETA - β- is a fast moving electron. It has

mass (small) and a negative charge of -1

GAMMA - γ - is a high-energy
electromagnetic waves. Gamma rays are
caused by changes within the nucleus. They
are part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
and so travel at the speed of light. They
have no mass and no charge.