Can penetrate other materials moderately:
Can be absorbed by a sheet of aluminum:
a.Alpha particle
b.Gamma particle
c.Beta particle
a. Alpha particle
The ability of a particle to penetrate other materials can provide insights into its properties. In this scenario, we are comparing three types of particles: alpha particles, gamma particles, and beta particles. Let's evaluate each option individually to determine which particle meets the given criteria.
a. Alpha Particle:
Alpha particles are made up of two protons and two neutrons, essentially equivalent to a helium nucleus. Due to their relatively large mass and strong positive charge, alpha particles are less penetrating compared to other particles. They interact strongly with matter, quickly losing their energy and stopping within a few centimeters of air or a few micrometers of matter.
b. Gamma Particle (Gamma Ray):
Gamma particles, also known as gamma rays, are electromagnetic radiation of extremely high energy and frequency. They have no mass or charge and can penetrate matter more easily than the other particles mentioned. Gamma rays are highly penetrating, and their ability to pass through materials depends on their energy. They can typically penetrate a few centimeters of lead or a few meters of concrete.
c. Beta Particle:
Beta particles are either negatively charged electrons or positively charged positrons. They have a much smaller mass compared to alpha particles but are faster and possess higher energy. Beta particles can travel farther in air compared to alpha particles, but their ability to penetrate matter depends on their energy and the material they are passing through. They can typically penetrate several millimeters of aluminum or up to a few centimeters of plastic.
Considering the given options, alpha particles are the least penetrating, and gamma particles are the most penetrating. Beta particles fall in between, being moderately penetrating. Therefore, the particle that can be absorbed by a sheet of aluminum is the alpha particle (option a).
a. Alpha particle: Alpha particles can be stopped by a sheet of aluminum. They have a charge and mass, so they interact strongly with the electrons in the aluminum, causing them to lose energy and stop. Therefore, they cannot penetrate through a sheet of aluminum.
b. Gamma particle: Gamma particles are electromagnetic waves of high energy. They can easily pass through a sheet of aluminum as well as many other materials. Their ability to penetrate depends on the thickness and density of the material they encounter, but generally, they have a high penetrating power compared to alpha and beta particles.
c. Beta particle: Beta particles are high-energy electrons or positrons. They have a charge and can be moderately absorbed by a sheet of aluminum. The interaction with aluminum depends on the energy of the beta particle and the thickness of the aluminum sheet. Higher energy beta particles can penetrate deeper into the material before being absorbed, whereas lower energy beta particles can be stopped more easily.