Question

Which is the correct ascending order for radioactive particles with regard to their ability to ionize air?

a) alpha, beta, gamma
b) gamma, alpha, beta
c) beta, gamma, alpha
d) beta, alpha, gamma

Answer 1

Answer is A) alpha, beta, gamma.

Answer 2

Answer:

The ascending order is

gamma < beta > alpha.

Explanation:

the ionizing power of radioactive particles is the ability to remove electron from the matter (here the air).

The ionizing power is directly related to the size or mass of the radioactive particle.

Out of the most three common radioactive particles, Alpha particles are heaviest one and considered to be thousands times heaver than beta particles.  Thus alpha particles have the greater ionization ability among the three. Then the beta particles are heavier than gamma particles thus the gamma particles have least power to ionize.