This lab, we will be investigating three different types of natural radiation: A

Question

This lab, we will be investigating three different types of natural radiation: Alpha, beta, and gamma.

Alpha particles are identical to helium nuclei, with a mass number of 4, an atomic number of 2, and a charge of +2.

Beta particles are similar to an electron, with negligible mass, and a charge of -1.

gamma radiation is high energy light, having no mass and no charge.

Most nuclear radiation carries energy in the range of a few million electron volts, or MeV (1 MeV = 106eV = 1.6x10-13 J), regardless of its type (alpha, beta, or gamma). This means that more massive particles generally travel more slowly than light particles. Make a preliminary guess as to which radiation type will in general interact most strongly with matter, and therefore would be most strongly absorbed as it passes through matter. Consider electrical charge, mass, and speed.

Explanation / Answer

Alpha particles are identical to helium nuclei, with a mass number of 4, an atomic number of 2, and a charge of +2.. Since, they have the highest mass and charge compared to beta and gamma rays, so they have the lowest velocity and hence interacts most strongly with matter.

Beta particles are similar to an electron, with negligible mass, and a charge of -1. Since, they have intermediate charge and mass, so they have higher velocity compared to alpha rays and hence interacts less than alpha ray but more than gamma rays.

Gamma radiation is high energy light, having no mass and no charge. So, they have the highest velocity and hence interacts the less with matter.

Therefore, the correct answer is alpha rays.

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