Question

Provide the following information for each of the three types of radiations from naturally radioactive materials. Be sure to include the following:
Charge
Mass
Relative penetrating power
The effect an electric field would have on it

Answer 1

Alpha radiation:  Particles.  Each alpha particle is a little bundle of 2 protons and 2 neutrons ... identical to the nucleus of a Helium atom.

Charge  . . . +2 elementary charges

Mass  . . . 4 Atomic Mass Units

Relative penetrating power  . . . low

The effect an electric field would have on it . . . Since the alpha particle has a positive charge, it's repelled by other positive charges, and attracted toward negative charges.

Beta radiation:  Particles.  Each beta particle is an electron.

Charge  . . . -1 elementary charge

Mass  . . . 0.00055 AMU

Relative penetrating power  . . . medium

The effect an electric field would have on it . . .  repelled by other negative charges, and attracted toward positive charges.

Gamma radiation:  electromagnetic wave, verrrrry short wave, high frequency

Charge . . . electromagnetic wave, no charge

Mass  . . . electromagnetic wave, no mass

Relative penetrating power  . . . high

The effect an electric field would have on it . . . electromagnetic wave, no effect