Which radioactive radiation has the highest ionising power but the lowest penetrating power?
AGamma rays
BBeta rays
CAlpha rays
DX-rays
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Alpha rays
1. Alpha particles are heavy, doubly charged helium nuclei.
2. Their large charge gives them the highest ionising power.
3. But they are easily stopped, even by thick paper, so penetrating power is lowest.
4. Gamma rays are opposite: high penetration but low ionisation.
_Source: Samacheer Kalvi (TN SCERT) Class 10 Science, Unit 6 Nuclear Physics "Nuclear Physics", p.84_
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