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It depends on where the radiation is coming from.

Alpha particles are the least penetrating, having the most mass and the most charge. They can be stopped with only a few inches of air or the skin.

Beta particles are middle of the road. They have small mass, and only half the charge of an alpha particle. They can be stopped with a millimeter or so of aluminum, so they have more penetrating power.

Gamma radiation is at the high end. They are photons, with extremely low mass and no charge, so their penetrating power is highest. Often, they require massive shielding to stop them.

So, from outside the body, gamma radiation is the most dangerous.

However, if you ingest the radioactive material into your body, it can lodge in sensitive places, such as the lungs, the thyroid, the bones, nearly anywhere. In that context, alpha particles are the most dangerous, because now they have no barrier to penetration, and they have the most impact on our cells.

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Order gamma decay beta decay and alpha deacy form weakest to strongest?

From weakest to strongest decay, the order is: Gamma decay - involves the emission of high-energy photons. Beta decay - involves the emission of beta particles (electrons or positrons). Alpha decay - involves the emission of alpha particles (helium nuclei).


Is alpha and beta decay are almost always accompanied by what?

Alpha and beta decay are often accompanied by the emission of gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is a high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation that helps to stabilize the nucleus after alpha or beta decay.


What consists of high-energy waves and always accompalnies alpha and beta decay?

Gamma rays consist of high-energy waves and always accompany alpha and beta decay processes. They are electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay to achieve a more stable state.


Types of decay?

TYPES:*PLANT DECOMPOSITION*ANIMAL DECOMPOSITION*HUMAN DECOMPOSITIONSTAGES OF DECOMPOSTION:1. FRESH or AUTOLYSIS2. BROAT or PUTRFICATION3. DECAY (PUTREFACTION and CARNIVORERS)4. DRY or DIAGENESIS


What are three different types of radioactivity and their characteristics?

Alpha decay: Involves the emission of an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons). Alpha particles have low penetration power but can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Beta decay: Involves the emission of a beta particle (an electron or positron). Beta particles have higher penetration power than alpha particles. Gamma decay: Involves the emission of gamma rays, which are high-energy electromagnetic radiation. Gamma rays have the highest penetration power and are often emitted along with alpha or beta particles.

Related Questions

Order gamma decay beta decay and alpha deacy form weakest to strongest?

From weakest to strongest decay, the order is: Gamma decay - involves the emission of high-energy photons. Beta decay - involves the emission of beta particles (electrons or positrons). Alpha decay - involves the emission of alpha particles (helium nuclei).


Is alpha and beta decay are almost always accompanied by what?

Alpha and beta decay are often accompanied by the emission of gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is a high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation that helps to stabilize the nucleus after alpha or beta decay.


Radioactive decay is the most dangerous?

There are three types: Beta decay, alpha decay, and gamma decay/gamma rays. They are all dangerous if exposed to a high amount of radioactive matter. When the radioactive isotope undergoes beta, alpha, and gamma decay, there is an emission of a beta particle, alpha particle, and gamma ray (respectively). In highly radioactive matter, there are often trillions of radioactive isotopes that emit these particles and/or rays - and they are very high-energy once emitted. However, they are only dangerous when exposed to a high amount.


What are the products of radioactive decay?

alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma radiation


What are the four types of nuclear decay in order?

The four types of nuclear decay are alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay, and neutron decay. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, beta decay involves the emission of beta particles (either electrons or positrons), gamma decay involves the emission of gamma rays, and neutron decay involves the emission of a neutron.


What are the types of radioactive decay?

alpha, beta, gamma.


What are the three products of radioactivity decay?

alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma radiation


What are the 3 forms of nuclear decay?

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma


Non-example of alpha decay?

Beta decay is a non-example of alpha decay. Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle (either an electron or a positron) from an unstable atomic nucleus, whereas alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle (helium nucleus) from a nucleus.


Three froms of radioactivity are?

Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Alpha and beta are both particles, but gamma is in the form of a wave. Gamma can travel the fathest but Alpha is the most dangerous when in contact with your skin


The least energetic of the forms of radioactive decay is ______?

alpha decay


How does americium - 241 undergo beta decay?

Americium-241 has an alpha decay associated with gamma.