Which radiation type has less mass and travels farther and is stopped by a solid object?

Which radiation type has less mass and travels farther and is stopped by a solid object?

• A. Alpha Radiation
• B. Gamma Radiation
• C. Beta Radiation
• D. Neutron Radiation

Answer: (C)

Beta radiation consists of fast-moving electrons emitted from the nucleus. They have far less mass than alpha particles, so they interact with matter less aggressively and can travel farther before coming to rest. Because their mass and charge are small, they are eventually stopped by a solid barrier such as a thin sheet of metal or plastic. In contrast, alpha particles are heavy and quickly stopped by a sheet of paper or skin, gamma rays have essentially no mass and are highly penetrating requiring dense shielding, and neutrons, while they can be slowed and captured, need hydrogen-rich materials for effective shielding. So, the description—less mass, longer reach than alpha, and stoppable by a solid object—fits beta radiation best.

Beta radiation consists of fast-moving electrons emitted from the nucleus. They have far less mass than alpha particles, so they interact with matter less aggressively and can travel farther before coming to rest. Because their mass and charge are small, they are eventually stopped by a solid barrier such as a thin sheet of metal or plastic. In contrast, alpha particles are heavy and quickly stopped by a sheet of paper or skin, gamma rays have essentially no mass and are highly penetrating requiring dense shielding, and neutrons, while they can be slowed and captured, need hydrogen-rich materials for effective shielding. So, the description—less mass, longer reach than alpha, and stoppable by a solid object—fits beta radiation best.