Final answer:
Gamma radiation is the type of radiation commonly used to sterilize materials such as plastic Petri dishes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of radiation that is commonly used to sterilize materials such as plastic Petri dishes is gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is extremely high-frequency electromagnetic waves and is the most penetrating type of nuclear radiation. It can easily penetrate paper and plastic, making it suitable for sterilizing packaged materials.