Types of radiationStable/unstable isotopes: Unstable if the atomic number is greater than 83 or if the neutron/proton ratio places it outside the stability zone (1:1.3 – 1:1 ,5).Alpha: Ionizing radiation emitted by certain substances in the process of radioactive decay. It is in fact a helium nucleus with charge +2. It forms when the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus is too low, rendering the element in an unstable energy state. Alpha radiation is unable to penetrate paper as shown in the diagram. Despite their inability to cause damage from outside the body, if ingested they are capable of ionizing particles present in the body because they have a positive charge. Likewise, because alpha particles are unable to penetrate through paper or human skin, they cannot travel for more than a few seconds. inches in the air from the source. Examples of alpha emitters are uranium, radiumU ---- > He + Th Uranium ---- > Helium + ThoriumRa ---- > He + Rn Raidum ----- > Helium + RadonBeta: C It is also ionizing radiation which is an electron with charge -1. This release occurs when there are too many neutrons in the nucleus, making the atom unstable. In this case, a neutron is split into a proton and an electron. The proton remains in the nucleus while the electron is emitted as radiation. As the diagram shows, beta particles can penetrate through paper but not human skin, again requiring ingestion or access through a cut in the skin to be harmful. They are capable of traveling further than Alpha particles but only up to a few meters in the air.n ----- > p + eCo ----- > Ni + eC ----- > N + .... .. middle of article......p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transuranium_elementhttp://www.easychem.com.au/production-of-materials/nuclear-methods /transuranic-elementshttp:/ /library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/nuclear_waste_types/nuclear_waste_types.htmlhttp://hsc.csu.edu.au/chemistry/core/identification/chem925/925net.html#net4http://www .lbl.gov/Science -Articles/Archive/elements-116-118.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope_separationhttp://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf56.htmlhttp://www .clw.csiro.au /services/isotope/http://hsc.csu.edu.au/chemistry/core/identification/chem925/925net.htmlhttp://scientist.hmarka.net/2011/02/znse-sensors -for-nucleonic-thickness -gauges/http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/44/8/1362/F1.expansion.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geiger_counterhttp://www.radiationsafety .wisc.edu/docs/lsc_guide.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californium#History