Question

how do the ionizing power and penetrating power of beta particles compare to other types of radiation?
○ beta particles have high ionizing power and very low penetrating power.
○ beta particles have intermediate ionizing power and penetrating power.
○ beta particles have low ionizing power and high penetrating power.
○ beta particles have high ionizing power and high penetrating power.
○ beta particles have low ionizing power and low penetrating power.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the properties of different types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma). Alpha particles have high ionizing power but low penetrating power. Gamma rays have low ionizing power but high penetrating power. Beta particles (electrons) have ionizing power and penetrating power that is intermediate between alpha and gamma. So beta particles have intermediate ionizing and penetrating power.

Answer:

B. Beta particles have intermediate ionizing power and penetrating power.