Final answer:
Particulate radiation is the term for particles that quickly lose their energy as they move through the air, in contrast to cosmic rays which can travel at high speeds over long distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Particulate material that quickly loses its energy as it travels through the air is known as particulate radiation. Unlike cosmic rays, which are high-speed particles from space and can travel vast distances, particulate radiation typically consists of smaller particles that dissipate their energy more quickly upon entering the atmosphere. Cosmic rays, on the other hand, can come from events like supernova explosions and travel at speeds approaching 90% of the speed of light, consisting mostly of hydrogen and helium nuclei, as well as electrons and positrons. Due to the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, many cosmic rays are prevented from striking the Earth directly, while those that do contribute to the background radiation.