Types of radiation Stable/unstable isotopes: Unstable if the atomic number is greater than 83 or if the neutron/proton ratio places it outside the stability zone (1:1.3 – 1:1 ,5).Alpha: Ionizing radiation emitted by some substances subject to radioactive decay. It is in fact a helium nucleus with a +2 charge. It forms when the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus is too low, which causes the element to be in an unstable energy state. Alpha radiation is unable to penetrate paper as shown in the diagram. Despite their inability to cause harm from outside the body, if ingested they are capable of ionizing particles inside the body as it has a positive charge. Likewise, alpha particles being unable to penetrate through paper or human skin cannot travel more than a few inches through the air from the source. Examples of alpha emitters are uranium, radioU ---- > He + Th Uranium ---- > Helium + ThoriumRa ---- > He + Rn Raidum ----- > Helium + RadonBeta: It is also an ionizing radiation which it is an electron with a charge of -1. This release occurs when there are too many neutrons in the nucleus making the atom unstable. In this case the neutron is split into a proton and an electron. The proton remains inside the nucleus while the electron is emitted as radiation. As shown in the diagram, beta particles can penetrate through paper but not through human skin, so they require ingestion or access through a cut in the skin to be harmful. They are able to travel further than alpha particles but only up to a few meters in the air.n ----- > p + eCo ----- > Ni + eC ----- > N + ... .. half of the document ......p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transuranium_elementhttp://www.easychem.com.au/production-of-materials/nuclear-methods/transuranic-elementshttp: / /library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/nuclear_waste_types/nuclear_waste_types.htmlhttp://hsc.csu.edu.au/chemistry/core/identification/chem925/925net.html#net4http://www.lbl.gov/ Science -Articles/Archive/elements-116-118.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope_separationhttp://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf56.htmlhttp://www.clw.csiro. au /services/isotope/http://hsc.csu.edu.au/chemistry/core/identification/chem925/925net.htmlhttp://scientist.hmarka.net/2011/02/znse-sensors-for-nucleonic- thickness -gauges/http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/44/8/1362/F1.expansion.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geiger_counterhttp://www.radiationsafety.wisc.edu/ docs /lsc_guide.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californium#History