Upon completion of this topic, learners will be able to:

• describe the types and nature of radiations.
• write a nuclear equation.
• write balanced nuclear equations.

Nature of radiations

The first information concerning the nature of the radiation emanating from naturally radioactive materials was obtained by Rutherford in 1898-1899. This finding indicates the presence of three different types of emissions from naturally radioactive materials.

Rutherford chose to call the three radiation components:

• alpha rays (a-rays) – the positive component;
• beta rays (b-rays) – the negative component; and
• gamma rays (g-rays) – the uncharged component.