What is stronger beta radiation or gamma radiation?

Answer 1

If you are asking about which radiation is the most penetrating, gamma rays are the "strongest" in that regard.

Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation of the highest possible energy (frequency). It has a higher frequency (shorter wavelength) than even X-rays. It has the greatest ability to penetrate materials. A gamma ray can go through a hundred people with ease.

It takes a very large mass to be effective in stopping gamma radiation. Any material can be used as shielding but, in general, the more mass, the better. It takes a lot more water than lead to stop gamma rays because water is much less dense than lead, but water is cheaper. Stone, concrete, or soil is very cost effective.

Any of these radiation may be emitted from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay (depending on the type of decay). They all ionize material as it slows them down. Both alpha and beta radiation are particulate radiation, as they are composed of particles.

Alpha particles are helium-4 nuclei, composed of two protons and two neutrons. These don't travel very far in air, and a sheet of paper will stop them.

A Beta particle is a high energy electron or positron. These have a modest ability to penetrate, but a sheet of aluminum foil will stop them.

Answer 2

In terms of penetrating power (XD), gamma radiation would be stronger. You need a layer of thin aluminum foil to stop a beta ray whilst gamma rays cannot be stopped but 2-3m of solid concrete or 30cm of lead would greatly reduce its potency.

In terms of ionisation, Beta would be stronger since gamma isn't very ionising compared to alpha or beta.

Answer 3

It depends...

The alpha particle, 24He2+, has the strongest electric charge. However, because of that, and also because it has the largest mass (4 AMU), it has the least penetrating power of all of the radioactive particle emissions. In contact with sensitive tissue, such as in the lungs or other body organs, it is indeed the most dangerous.

On the other hand, the gamma ray, a photon emitted from the nucleus, or the x-ray, a photon emitted from the electron cloud, has the most1 penetrating power, because of its low mass (zero, at rest) and its zero charge. As a result, it does not have to be ingested in order to create a hazard.

1Actually, the neutrino has the most penetrating power of all the particles but, it also has the least impact, so it does not really count in this context.

Answer 4

1. Gamma rays have greatest penetrating power, gamma rays can penetrate through several cm of lead.

2. Beta particles have larger penetrating power than alpha particles and can travel 10 mm through matter.

3. Alpha particles have weakest penetrating power and can hardly pass through paper.

Answer 5

alpha, it can only travel about 10 cm in clean air.

Answer 6

NO

NO NO NO NO

they cant penitrate your SKIN

Answer 7

gamma as there is no charge for these rays its path is relatively unaffected...

gamma>beta>alpha - penetrating power