General Knowledge - General Science - Discussion

Gamma rays>x-rays>beta rays>alpha rays.

The reason that alpha has minimum penetration power is its positively charged nature which gets deflected from nucleus of an atom.

Penetrative power means.

Gamma rays:

Gamma rays are waves, not particles.

This means that they have no mass and no charge.

Gamma rays have a high penetrating power - it takes a thick sheet of metal such as lead, or concrete to reduce them significantly.

Gamma rays do not directly ionise other atoms, although they may cause atoms to emit other particles which will then cause ionisation.

We don't find pure gamma sources - gamma rays are emitted alongside alpha or beta particles. Strictly speaking, gamma emission isn't 'radioactive decay' because it doesn't change the state of the nucleus, it just carries away some energy.

Alpha particles are positively charged. Which has high ionization power, hence has less penetrating power beta and gamma particles.

Gamma rays have high penetration power alpha rays have less penetration power.

Order of penetrating power: gamma rays>beta particles>alpha particles.

What about X-ray?

What is penetrating power?

Gamma rays have high penetration power Alpha rays have less penetration power.

The reason that Alpha has minimum penetration power is its positively charged nature which gets deflected from the nucleus of an atom.

Alpha particles are relatively slow and heavy compared to other forms of nuclear radiation. Since they are highly ionizing it is unable for them to penetrate very far through matter and is brought to rest by a few centimetres of air or less than a tenth of a millimetre of biological tissue.