An alpha particle is composed of two neutrons and two protons and is identical with the nucleus of a helium atom. An individual member of the teaching or research faculty who has been approved by the Radiation Safety Committee to use or supervise the use of radioactive material under conditions specified in an application for authorization. All activities involving radioactive material must be conducted under the authorization of an Authorized User.
Beta particles have the same mass and charge as electrons.
Positively charged beta particles are called positrons and emit 0.511 MeV photons when they combine with an electron and annihilate. A large glass or plastic bottle, often used to hold corrosive liquids and liquid radioactive waste. The presence of radioactive material where it is not supposed to be. The spontaneous transformation of one nuclide into a different nuclide or into a different energy state of the same nuclide. The process results in a decrease, with time, of the original radioactive atoms in a sample.