Chapter 39, Problem 7A

To determine

The comparison among the penetrating power of three types of radiation.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The three types of radiation are alpha, beta and gamma. The penetrating power is the by which the radiation easily passes across some medium.

The mass of the alpha particles are more than the beta particles and gamma rays are the massless energy.

The speed of the beta particles is greater than the speed of the beta particles because the beta particles move with the speed of electron. The speed of the gamma rays is same as the speed of the light.

The penetrating power of gamma rays is greatest among three types of radiation due to its high speed and massless nature. The penetrating power of beta radiation ids more than the penetrating power of alpha radiation due to more speed of beta particles than alpha particles.

Conclusion:

Thus, the penetrating power of gamma radiation is more than other two types of radiation and penetrating power of beta radiation is more than the alpha radiation.