1.2 Nuclear radiation properties

The interaction is discussed of nuclear radiation with matter through which the radiation travels. The absorption processes are compared for alpha, beta and gamma radiations; the variation of the range of alpha and beta particles with the initial particle energy is described as is the exponential law of gamma radiation absorption. With neutrons, low energy (thermal) neutrons are most readily captured by nuclei; their energy has decreased down to 0.025 eV by multiple elastic scattering on nuclei. (J.C.)