Match the type of radiation (1 to 3) with each of the following statements:
1. alpha particle
2. beta particle
3. gamma radiation
c. travels only a short distance in air

Question

Match the type of radiation (1 to 3) with each of the following statements:

1. alpha particle

2. beta particle

3. gamma radiation

c. travels only a short distance in air

Accepted Answer

Welcome back everyone. In this example, we need to identify the type of radiation referred to. In the statement below, it is capable of traveling a long distance through the air. We have choice a beta particle, choice B gamma ray and choice C alpha particle. Let's start by defining the type of radiation known as an alpha particle. Recall that an alpha particle is represented by the symbol of alpha and it's considered the largest among the radioactive particles and it can travel a short distance. Recall that alpha particles have high ionization energy which make them the most destructive to biological cells. Now, the good thing is is that alpha particles have a low penetration and so they can be stopped by clothes paper or air. Now let's define gamma ray recall that a gamma ray can be represented by the gamma symbol. It's not a particle and they travel the longest distance in the air. Gamma particles also have the lowest ionization, but that would make them the least damaging. However, they can have at high doses, significant damage. So at high doses or exposure, significant damage, recall that gamma particles have the highest penetration and can be blocked by heavyweight materials like metal, concrete and wool, right, as well as tungsten, which we will represent by its chemical symbol capital W and then let's define beta particles. So recall that beta particles can be represented by the beta symbol and they're known to be smaller then both gamma and alpha particles. So gamma rays and alpha particles recall that beta particles travel faster in air. So faster and farther in air, recall that beta particles have the lowest ionization. So they're going to be the least destructive but just like Gamarra can at high doses and high exposure be very damaging. So we'll write an equal sign for that note. So again, that makes them less damaging to biological cells and recall that beta particles have more penetration than alpha particles, but less than gamma race. And just like gamma particles, beta particles can be blocked by metal or what. And so based on everything that we've outlined for these three particles, since we outlined that gamma particles travel the longest distance, that means that our final answer is going to be choice B gamma ray. That is the type of radiation referred to in the statement it's capable of traveling a long distance throughout the air. So this completes this example. I hope this made sense and let us know if you have any questions.

Match the type of radiation (1 to 3) with each of the following statements:
1. alpha particle
2. beta particle
3. gamma radiation
c. travels only a short distance in air

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Alpha Particles

Beta Particles

Gamma Radiation

Match the type of radiation (1 to 3) with each of the following statements:1. alpha particle2. beta particle3. gamma radiationc. travels only a short distance in air

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Alpha Particles

Beta Particles

Gamma Radiation

Match the type of radiation (1 to 3) with each of the following statements:
1. alpha particle
2. beta particle
3. gamma radiation
c. travels only a short distance in air