TM-91N
EN-14
the surface. Due to short range, alpha particles
are not a serious health hazard unless they are
emitted from within the body when their high
energy, in close contact with sensitive living
tissue their high energy, in close contact with
sensitive living tissue, is an extreme hazard.
Fortunately, almost all alpha-emitting
substances also emit gamma rays, allowing for
their detection.
Neutrons, having no net charge, do not interact with
matter as easily as other particles, and can drift
through great thickness of material without incident.
A free neutron, drifting through space, will decay in
an average of 11.7 minutes, yielding a proton and
an electron (beta ray). The neutron can also
combine with the nucleus of an atom, if its path
carries it close enough. When a neutron is
absorbed into a nucleus, it is saved from its
ultimate fate (decay), but may render the nucleus
unstable. This absorption process is used in
medicine and industry, to create radioactive
elements from non-radioactive ones. Detecting
neutrons is specialized and beyond the scope of
typical Geiger counters, but most possible neutron
sources also emit gamma and beta radiation,
affording detection of the source.
