
If by mistake some radioactive substance gets inside the human body, then from the point of view of radiation damage, the most harmful will be one that emits
(A) $\gamma $-rays
(B) Neutrons
(C) $\beta $-particle
(D) $\alpha $-particle
Answer
164.1k+ views
Hint: A radioactive element can decay in three ways: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. The nuclear disintegration process that generates alpha particles is known as "alpha decay." The term "beta particle" refers to the energetic electron that is liberated from the nucleus during the disintegration of $\beta $-ray. After radioactive decay, the nucleus of some radionuclides emits a packet of electromagnetic energy (photons) known as a gamma ray.
Complete step by step solution:
If by mistake some radioactive substance gets inside the human body, then from the point of view of radiation damage, the most harmful will be one that emits $\gamma $-rays. The main reason for its harmful nature is its high penetrating power.
The human body can be completely penetrated by gamma rays, which can then generate ionizations that harm DNA and tissue. Gamma rays have a very high energy that enables them to penetrate almost everything. Even bones and teeth are not a limit to them. This makes gamma rays extremely hazardous. They are capable of mutating genes, destroying living cells, and causing cancer.
Correct Option: (A) $\gamma $-rays.
Additional Information: Alpha, beta, and gamma rays are three distinct forms of radiation that radioactive substances release, according to British physicist Ernest Rutherford. Among the three different types of rays, alpha particles are the heaviest particles. At close range, a large number of atoms can be ionised by alpha radiation. It's because wearing rubber gloves is a necessity before handling radioactive items that release alpha particles.
Note: The gamma rays have more energy as compared to the alpha and beta particles. As these rays can penetrate most of the substances, therefore, it is also known as “penetrating” radiation.
Complete step by step solution:
If by mistake some radioactive substance gets inside the human body, then from the point of view of radiation damage, the most harmful will be one that emits $\gamma $-rays. The main reason for its harmful nature is its high penetrating power.
The human body can be completely penetrated by gamma rays, which can then generate ionizations that harm DNA and tissue. Gamma rays have a very high energy that enables them to penetrate almost everything. Even bones and teeth are not a limit to them. This makes gamma rays extremely hazardous. They are capable of mutating genes, destroying living cells, and causing cancer.
Correct Option: (A) $\gamma $-rays.
Additional Information: Alpha, beta, and gamma rays are three distinct forms of radiation that radioactive substances release, according to British physicist Ernest Rutherford. Among the three different types of rays, alpha particles are the heaviest particles. At close range, a large number of atoms can be ionised by alpha radiation. It's because wearing rubber gloves is a necessity before handling radioactive items that release alpha particles.
Note: The gamma rays have more energy as compared to the alpha and beta particles. As these rays can penetrate most of the substances, therefore, it is also known as “penetrating” radiation.
Recently Updated Pages
JEE Main 2021 July 25 Shift 1 Question Paper with Answer Key

JEE Main 2021 July 22 Shift 2 Question Paper with Answer Key

JEE Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding important Concepts and Tips

JEE Amino Acids and Peptides Important Concepts and Tips for Exam Preparation

JEE Electricity and Magnetism Important Concepts and Tips for Exam Preparation

Chemical Properties of Hydrogen - Important Concepts for JEE Exam Preparation

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2025 Session 2: Application Form (Out), Exam Dates (Released), Eligibility, & More

Atomic Structure - Electrons, Protons, Neutrons and Atomic Models

Displacement-Time Graph and Velocity-Time Graph for JEE

JEE Main 2025: Derivation of Equation of Trajectory in Physics

Learn About Angle Of Deviation In Prism: JEE Main Physics 2025

Types of Solutions

Other Pages
JEE Advanced Marks vs Ranks 2025: Understanding Category-wise Qualifying Marks and Previous Year Cut-offs

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry In Hindi Chapter 1 Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

Electric Field Due to Uniformly Charged Ring for JEE Main 2025 - Formula and Derivation

JEE Advanced Weightage 2025 Chapter-Wise for Physics, Maths and Chemistry

Degree of Dissociation and Its Formula With Solved Example for JEE

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 7 Redox Reaction
