Question

Compare alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays in terms of how penetrating and how energetic they are.

Answer 1

Alpha:
Are fast moving helium nucleus, consisting of 2 neutrons and 4 protons.
They carry the positive charge, and is the heaviest among the three.
Because they are the largest, they can be stopped by a single piece of paper, too... so they have the lowest penetration of objects.

Beta rays:

It is not as heavy as alpha, and it is also heavily than gamma rays.
Beta rays are smaller than alpha, but bigger than gamma rays.

They can penetrate more than a piece of paper, though they generally stop penetrating after passing through an aluminium sheet.



Gamma rays:

Gamma rays has the highest penetrating power

They can penetrate at a larger area; and can be stopped by a thick lead block.
Gamma rays have almost no ionizing power, as they carry no charges.