Question
Download Solution PDFWhich of the following has the least penetrating power?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFExplanation:
Types of radioactive rays:
- Radioactive rays are classified based on the behaviour of the radioactive rays in electric and magnetic fields.
- Three types: α rays, β rays, and γ rays.
The table below shows the characteristics of radioactive rays:
| α rays | β rays | γ rays | |
| Charge | Positively charged (+ve) | Negatively charged (-ve) | Uncharged |
| Nature |
α-rays consist of streams of +vely charged particles called α particles. Each α-particle has 2 units of +ve charge and 4 amu mass. Each α-particle is a helium nucleus. |
Consist of - very charged particles called β-particles. Each β-particle has a mass equal to an electron and carries one unit of -ve charge. Each β-particle is an electron. |
γ-rays consist of electromagnetic radiations of very short wavelength.
|
| Velocity |
α-rays travel with about one-tenth that of the velocity of light. |
β-rays travel with velocities ranging from 33-99% of the velocity of light. |
γ-rays travel with the velocity of light.
|
| Penetrating power |
Least penetrating power.
|
β-rays are 100 times more penetrating than α rays. | γ-rays have the highest penetrating power among the three rays. |
| Ionizing power | Because of the high momentum they possess, α-rays can cause the ionizination of gases. |
Because of smaller masses of β-particles, the ionizing power is less than α rays. |
γ-rays have the least ionizing power among the three types of radioactive rays. |
| Action on a photographic plate | α-rays can affect a photographic plate. | β-rays can affect a photographic plate. |
γ-rays can affect a photographic plate. |
So, Alpha particles have the least penetrating power.
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