Question

The correct order of penetrating power is:
(A) $\gamma >\alpha >\beta$
(B) $\gamma <\alpha <\beta$
(C) $\gamma >\beta >\alpha$
(D) $\gamma =\alpha =\beta$

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question you can think of Dr. Bruce Banner. He was poisoned by gamma rays to become the Incredible Hulk, one of the strongest and coolest superheroes from the Marvel comics. Now try to answer this correctly.

Complete step by step answer:
We should know that the "rays" emitted by radioactive elements were named in order of their power to penetrate various materials, using the first three letters of the Greek alphabet.
The alpha rays are the least penetrating, followed by beta rays, and gamma rays are the most penetrating.
The penetrating power is the amount of energy that is absorbed depending on the type of radiation and the type of absorbing material.
Alpha rays are the weakest and can be blocked by human skin and gamma rays are the strongest and only dense elements like lead can block them.
So, we can say Alpha and Beta radiations are charged, hence they interest strongly with electrons Gamma rays are uncharged so these interactions are much less strong than for a charged particle
 So, the correct order is $\gamma >\beta >\alpha$

Therefore, we can conclude that the correct answer to this question is option C.

Note: We should also know that the ability of radiation to damage molecules is analyzed in terms of what is called ionizing power.
$\alpha$ rays have the maximum ionizing power and $\gamma$ rays have the minimum ionizing power.