Radiation travels in all direction in straight lines, called "rays" from the center of the source. 
    However, when beta particles are bombarded with gas molecules, they will travel along a 
    zig-zag path.

    Four pure radioactive sources are used in the following experiments:

strontiumcobaltradium

            Strontium (b)                             Cobalt  (g)                            Radium (a,b,g)

     
     Americium emits only alpha particles; 
     strontium emits only beta particles,
     cobalt emits only gamma particles; and 
     radium which emits alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

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