What are the three principal types of ionizing radiation?

What are the three principal types of ionizing radiation?

• A. Alpha particles, beta particles, and neutron rays
• B. Alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays
• C. X-rays, microwaves, and infrared radiation
• D. Beta particles, gamma rays, and sound waves

Answer: (B)

The three principal types of ionizing radiation are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Ionizing radiation is characterized by its ability to ionize atoms, which occurs when it has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, creating charged ions. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, making them relatively heavy and positively charged. They have low penetration power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of human skin. However, they are highly ionizing and can cause significant damage if ingested or inhaled. Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive decay. They are lighter than alpha particles and can penetrate materials more effectively, but they can still be stopped by a few millimeters of plastic or glass. Beta particles also have ionizing capabilities and can cause damage to biological tissues. Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation of high frequency and energy. They have no mass or charge, which allows them to penetrate deeply into materials, including human tissue. While gamma rays are less ionizing than alpha or beta particles, their high energy allows them to interact with atoms and molecules, leading to ionization. The options that include sound waves, microw

The three principal types of ionizing radiation are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Ionizing radiation is characterized by its ability to ionize atoms, which occurs when it has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, creating charged ions.

Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, making them relatively heavy and positively charged. They have low penetration power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of human skin. However, they are highly ionizing and can cause significant damage if ingested or inhaled.

Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive decay. They are lighter than alpha particles and can penetrate materials more effectively, but they can still be stopped by a few millimeters of plastic or glass. Beta particles also have ionizing capabilities and can cause damage to biological tissues.

Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation of high frequency and energy. They have no mass or charge, which allows them to penetrate deeply into materials, including human tissue. While gamma rays are less ionizing than alpha or beta particles, their high energy allows them to interact with atoms and molecules, leading to ionization.

The options that include sound waves, microw