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Which of the following statements concerning penetrating power into matter of various types of radiation is correct?

a. Alpha and beta particles penetrate to the same degree as gamma radiation.
b.Beta particles penetrate deeper than gamma radiation.
c.Beta particles and gamma radiation penetrate equally.
d.Gamma radiation penetrates deeper than both alpha and beta particles

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Gamma radiation has the greatest penetrating power, able to deeply penetrate matter, followed by beta particles, and then alpha particles with the least penetrating power.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement concerning the penetrating power into matter of various types of radiation is that gamma radiation penetrates deeper than both alpha and beta particles. Alpha particles, being relatively large and positively charged, are easily stopped by materials like paper or skin. Beta particles are smaller and carry a negative charge, allowing them to penetrate slightly into matter, often just a few centimeters. In contrast, gamma rays, which are high-energy photons without charge, can penetrate deeply into matter including the human body, and they can be stopped by very dense materials such as lead.

Thus, when comparing the penetration abilities of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays, we observe that alpha particles have the least penetrating power, beta particles have more, and gamma rays have the most penetrating power, capable of passing through thicker and denser substances.

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