Which type of radiation travels the furthest in air?

Answer 1

In air, among the common types of ionizing radiation, gamma rays typically travel the furthest. Gamma rays are highly energetic electromagnetic waves or photons that have no mass or charge. Because of their high energy and lack of charge, they can penetrate matter more deeply than other forms of ionizing radiation like alpha and beta particles.

Alpha particles, consisting of two protons and two neutrons, have a relatively low range in air because they are heavy and positively charged. Beta particles, which are high-speed electrons (beta-minus) or positrons (beta-plus), also have a limited range in the air due to their interactions with air molecules and electrons in the medium.

Gamma rays, on the other hand, have no charge and interact with matter primarily through electromagnetic interactions. This allows them to penetrate air and other materials more deeply. However, the extent to which gamma rays can travel through air depends on their energy level. Higher-energy gamma rays can penetrate further than lower-energy ones. Extremely high-energy gamma rays from cosmic sources can even penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and reach the surface.

It's worth noting that while gamma rays can travel far in the air, they can still be attenuated (absorbed or scattered) by denser materials or shielded effectively using appropriate shielding materials such as lead or concrete, depending on their energy level.