Most nuclear radiation carries energy in the range of a few million electrons vo

Question

Most nuclear radiation carries energy in the range of a few million electrons volts, or MeV (1 MeV = 10^6 eV = 1.6 Times 10^-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 least strongly with matter, and therefore would be least strongly absorbed as it passes through matter. Consider electrical charge, mass and speed. Explain your reasons. Which radiation type do you predict would interact, in general, most strongly with matter, and so be more absorbed than others? Why?

Explanation / Answer

1. Alpha (-) particles consist of a stream of dispotively charged He nuclei (4He22+); alpha particles have 4 units of mass and 2 units of positive charge. Beta (-) particles are fast-moving particles which have mass equal to 1/1000th of a proton (proton has one unit mass) and unit negative (electron) or unit positive (positron) charge. A gamma (-) particle has negligible mass and very high velocity. Because of negligible mass and charge, gamma particles interact least with matter. Therefore, they are absorbed by matter the least and have the highest penetrating power.

2. Alpha particles have considerable mass and charge. They interact most strongly with matter. They are absorbed most by matter and pass through matter the least, i.e., they have least penetrating power.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse M
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.