ALPHA, BETA, GAMMA, X-RAY, AND NEUTRON RADIATION. Ionizing radiation takes a few forms: Alpha, beta, and neutron particles, and gamma and X-rays. All types are caused by unstable atoms, which have either an excess of energy or mass (or both). In order to reach a stable state, they must release that extra energy or mass in the form of radiation.
https://www.mirion.com/introduction-to-radiation-safety/types-of-ionizing-radiation/
Types of Radioactive Emissions. There are many types of radiation and radioactive emissions. The information we are providing discusses only the four most common types: alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and x rays.
http://www.radiationanswers.org/radiation-introduction/types-of-radiation/types-of-emissions.html
Gamma Rays and X Rays. Gamma and x rays (also called photons) are waves of energy that travel at the speed of light. These waves can have considerable range in air and have greater penetrating power (can travel farther) than either alpha or beta particles.
http://www.radiationanswers.org/radiation-introduction/types-of-radiation/types-of-emissions.html
The emission spectrum of a chemical element or chemical compound is the spectrum of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to an atom or molecule making a transition from a high energy state to a lower energy state.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emission_(electromagnetic_radiation)
The energy states of the transitions can lead to emissions over a very large range of frequencies. For example, visible light is emitted by the coupling of electronic states in atoms and molecules (then the phenomenon is called fluorescence or phosphorescence).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emission_(electromagnetic_radiation)
In air, beta particles can travel a few hundred times farther than alpha particles—up to six feet (two meters) or more for the beta particles with higher energies. For the common low-energy beta emitters used in laboratories, light clothing or a few centimeters of air can stop the beta radiation.
http://www.radiationanswers.org/radiation-introduction/types-of-radiation/types-of-emissions.html
Through radioactive decay, the nucleus approaches a more stable neutron to proton ratio. Radioactive decay releases different types of energetic emissions. The three most common types of radioactive emissions are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Fission also is a form of radioactive decay. Alpha (a) decay occurs when the neutron to proton ratio is too low. Alpha decay emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons.
http://nuceng.ca/igna/radioactivity.htm
Gamma (g) rays are not particulate radiation like the alpha and beta, but a form of high-energy electromagnetic wave. Gamma rays are the least ionizing of the three forms discussed. A 1 MeV gamma ray can travel an average of 130 meters in air.
http://nuceng.ca/igna/radioactivity.htm
Gamma radiation: The emission of an high-energy wave from the nucleus of an atom. Gamma radiation, unlike alpha or beta, does not consist of any particles, instead consisting of a photon of energy being emitted from an unstable nucleus.
https://www.mirion.com/introduction-to-radiation-safety/types-of-ionizing-radiation/
Emission[edit] In physics, emission is the process by which a higher energy quantum mechanical state of a particle becomes converted to a lower one through the emission of a photon, resulting in the production of light. The frequency of light emitted is a function of the energy of the transition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emission_(electromagnetic_radiation)
what radioactive emissions has the highest energy?
Gamma radiation is a radioactive emissions that has the highest energy. The highest energy has Gamma radiation of radioactive emissions.