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Q. Ionization power and penetration range of radioactive radiation increases in the order

VITEEEVITEEE 2007

Solution:

Because of large mass and large velocity, $\alpha$-particles have large ionising power. Each $\alpha$-particle produces thousands of ions before being absorbed. The $\beta$-particles ionise the gas through which they pass, but their ionising power is only $\frac{1}{100}$ th that of $\alpha$-particles. $\gamma$-rays have got small ionising power.
Because of large mass, the penetrating power of $\alpha$-particles is very small, it being $1 / 100$ times that to $\beta$-rays and $1 / 10000$ times that of $\gamma$-rays. $\alpha$-particles can be easily stopped by an Aluminium sheet, only $0.02$ mm thick. $\beta$-particles have very small mass, so their penetrating power is large. $\gamma$-rays have very large penetrating power.