While when a gamma particle is emitted, then there is no change in the chemical element. Similarly, when a beta particle is emitted then the release of either electron or positron changes the chemical element. When an alpha particle is emitted by a nucleus then the release of positive charge changes the chemical composition of the element.As against, a gamma particle has no charge constituent and is of neutral nature. Whereas a beta particle is a charged particle consisting of either unit negative or positive charge. An alpha particle is a positively charged particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.Key Differences Between Alpha, Beta, Gamma Particles And thus, there occurs no chemical element variation when a gamma particle is emitted. The energy of gamma rays lies between a few KeV to around 8 MeV and sometimes extremely high energy gamma rays have 100 to 1000 TeV range.Īs these possess no properties of a charged substance thus remain unaffected from the electric and magnetic field. These are high-energy photons that carry electromagnetic waves. Gamma particles are also known as gamma rays and are chargeless. In this, basically, the unstable atom gets stabilized by removing the neutrons and transforming them into electrons or positrons. Beta particles have a kinetic energy of about 0.5 MeV and propagate approximately with the speed of light.Īn unstable atom that is rich in neutron produces beta particles. These are also called beta rays and are unit negatively or positively charged particles emitted during beta decay. Alpha particles generally possess kinetic energy of 5 MeV and have a velocity of around 5% of the velocity of light.Īs it has 2 protons and there is no electron present to balance the two positive charges thus in total the charge on the single alpha particle is +2. So, alpha decay results in an alpha particle.

An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons bounded together similar to a helium nucleus. No change in chemical composition of the elementĪlpha particle is also known as alpha rays. Varies chemical composition of the elementĬhanges the chemical composition of the element It is a photon that carries electromagnetic energy. It is identical to helium nucleus due to presence of protons. Content: Alpha Vs Beta Vs Gamma Particles Here we will discuss the various differences between the three. Further, it was discovered by Rutherford between 1900 to 1903 that alpha, beta, and gamma are the radioactive substances that are emitted as the result of radioactivity. Radioactivity was discovered by Henry Becquerel in the year 1896. These three are differentiated on the basis of the behavior possessed by them and the penetration power. So, the particles whose emission stabilizes an unstable nucleus are alpha, beta, and gamma. With the emission of these particles, the nucleus is transformed into a lower energy state and the decaying continues till the time the nucleus gets stabilized. And this release of energy takes place in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Basically, radioactive decay is a process in which unstable atomic nuclei releases energy in order to get stabilized.