Alpha: The emission of a helium particle ptripped of its electrons. The resulting nucleus has a charge loss of two and a mass loss of four. Alpha particles have charges of +2. Kinetic energy emitted by an alpha particle, when impacting near particles, usually causes reactions in those molecules. Alpha particles are capable of doing the most damage, and are the most massive. But it cannot penetrate out skin, but after becoming gaseous it can go directly into the lungs and cause cancer.
238 234 4
92 U ==> 90 Th + 2 He is an alpha decay equation.
Beta: the emmision of high energy electrons from the nucleus of an atom. This process does nothing to the atomic mass, but the atomic number increases by one. In simplest terms, beta radiation changes a neurton into a proton. The charge is -1. It is more dangerous than alpha radiation but doesn't have the kinetic enerdy of alpha particles.
1 1 0 -
0 n ==> 1 p + -1e + v general equation for beta decay
Gamma: the emission of high energy photons in a certain range, with no matter associated with it. Gamma rays are normally the product of other beta or alpha emissions. They stabilize the nucleus by releasing some of the excess energy. Most damaging rays, are able to penetrate meter thick lead.
http://www.chemcases.com/nuclear/nc-14.htm
Pictures of radiation
