Question

α and β rays consist of particles, whereas γ rays are high-energy radiation and contain no particles and thus they have no mass. Given that the penetrating power decreases with mass, rank the rays according to their penetrating power. Rank the components from strongest penetrating power to weakest penetrating power. To rank items as equivalent, overlap them.

Answer 1

γ > β > α

Step-by-step explanation:

The penetrating power is inversely related to the mass. The higher the mass, the lower the penetrating power.

α rays are Helium nucleus (He²⁺), that is, they are formed by 2 protons and 2 neutrons. The mass of an α particle is 4.001 amu.

β rays are nuclear electrons, which result from the decay of a neutron. The mass of a β particle is 1/1840 amu.

γ rays contain no particles and have no mass.

The order of penetrating power is γ > β > α.