Particulate radiation consists of atomic nuclei or subatomic particles moving at high velocities. Examples of particulate radiation include alpha rays, beta rays and cathode rays. Alpha rays high speed double ionized Helium nuclei consisting or two protons and two neutrons with an atomic number of 2 and atomic mass of 4. 1 atomic mass unit Neutrons have no charge and weigh 1 atomic mass unit. Electrons have a negative 1 charge and are so small that their mass can be ignored.
Alpha rays result from the decay of many radioactive elements naturally.
Beta and cathode rays are very light and travel at speeds close to the speed of light. They can penetrate about 1.5 cm of body tissue. This is because electrons are smaller, lighter, and carry only 1 negative charge. The X-ray tube is positioned within the tube head along with some components of the power supply. The filament composed of a coil of tungsten wire.