Why does gamma radiation penetrate further

Higher levels can only be stopped by many centimetres of lead or many metres of concrete. Properties of radiation Radiation can be absorbed by substances in its path. Alpha radiation Alpha radiation is the least penetrating. Beta radiation Beta radiation can penetrate air and paper.

Some beta particles are capable of penetrating the skin and causing damage such as skin burns. Beta-emitters are most hazardous when they are inhaled or swallowed. Gamma rays can pass completely through the human body; as they pass through, they can cause damage to tissue and DNA. Radioactive decay occurs in unstable atoms called radionuclides. The energy of the radiation shown on the spectrum below increases from left to right as the frequency rises. Other agencies regulate the non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by electrical devices such as radio transmitters or cell phones See: Radiation Resources Outside of EPA.

Alpha particles come from the decay of the heaviest radioactive elements, such as uranium , radium and polonium. Even though alpha particles are very energetic, they are so heavy that they use up their energy over short distances and are unable to travel very far from the atom.

The health effect from exposure to alpha particles depends greatly on how a person is exposed. Alpha particles lack the energy to penetrate even the outer layer of skin, so exposure to the outside of the body is not a major concern.

Inside the body, however, they can be very harmful. If alpha-emitters are inhaled, swallowed, or get into the body through a cut, the alpha particles can damage sensitive living tissue. The way these large, heavy particles cause damage makes them more dangerous than other types of radiation. The ionizations they cause are very close together - they can release all their energy in a few cells. This results in more severe damage to cells and DNA. These particles are emitted by certain unstable atoms such as hydrogen-3 tritium , carbon and strontium Beta particles are more penetrating than alpha particles, but are less damaging to living tissue and DNA because the ionizations they produce are more widely spaced.

Gamma rays are energy that has no mass or charge. Gamma rays have tremendous penetration power and require several inches of dense material like lead to shield them.

Gamma rays may pass all the way through a human body without striking anything. They are considered to have the least ionizing power and the greatest penetration power. The safest amount of radiation to the human body is zero.

It isn't possible to be exposed to no ionizing radiation so the next best goal is to be exposed to as little as possible. The two best ways to minimize exposure is to limit time of exposure and to increase distance from the source. Austin State University with contributing authors. Each type of radiation is caused by a decay either spontaneous - natural - or induced - a reaction has caused the decay.

The nuclei of some atoms are unstable, and will naturally undergo 'radioactive decay'. This causes the release of ionising radiation which allows the nucleus to become more stable. Atoms that do this are said to be radioactive. A comparison of alpha, beta and gamma. Penetrating power Each type of radiation has a different ability to penetrate materials.

The range of the alpha radiation in an absorbing material is less than that of beta or gamma. The alpha radiation transfers more energy to an absorber than beta or gamma radiation.