Which of the following is a characteristic of beta radiation?

• A. It is easily stopped by a sheet of paper.
• B. It is composed of helium nuclei and has a +2 charge.
• C. It consists of high-energy electrons or positrons emitted from the nucleus.
• D. It has no mass and no charge, and is highly penetrating.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are common types emitted from radioactive nuclei.
2. Recall that alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei (2 protons and 2 neutrons) and has a +2 charge, so it is not beta radiation.
3. Know that beta radiation consists of high-energy electrons (beta-minus) or positrons (beta-plus) emitted from the nucleus, carrying a charge of -1 or +1 respectively.
4. Recognize that beta particles have a small mass compared to alpha particles and can penetrate materials more than alpha particles but less than gamma rays.
5. Note that beta radiation is not easily stopped by paper (unlike alpha particles), but can be stopped by materials like plastic or thin metal sheets, and it is not massless or chargeless like gamma radiation.