Issue #43 Penetration Power of Nuclear Radiations

Nuclear radiations bear energy. Depending on their energy, mass and charge, they can penetrate or be stopped by matter, and this is called penetration power. The figures below illustrate this:

                                                      (dreamstime.com)

                                                                (cheggy.com)

Few explanations on the causes of the penetration power of some Radiations:

- Alpha rays (α, ⁴₂He⁺⁺): less penetrating for the following reasons: are stopped easily in their penetration due to their high mass, and their positive charge

- Beta rays (β, ⁰_-1e): more penetrating than alpha rays because of their zero mass

- Gamma rays (γ): more penetrating than beta rays; they have no mass and no charge,

- Neutron rays (n): most penetrating rays: no charge and highly energetic.

Ionization power of nuclear radiations

Ionizing radiation is a form of energy that acts by removing electrons from atoms and molecules of materials that include air, water and living organisms.

All types of nuclear radiation are ionizing radiations; Alpha radiation is the most ionizing due to its mass and high energy, whereas Gamma radiation is the least ionizing.