Physics 0625 · IGCSE · Radioactivity

Radioactivity — practice question

Compared with an alpha particle, a beta particle has a smaller mass, although the speed of a beta particle released in radioactive decay is about $20$ times the speed of an alpha particle. Which statement gives the correct comparison between the properties of these two particles?

  • AAlpha particles are less penetrating because they have less kinetic energy than beta particles.
  • BAlpha particles are more penetrating because they have less kinetic energy than beta particles.
  • CAlpha particles are less ionising because they have more kinetic energy than beta particles.
  • DAlpha particles are more ionising because they have more kinetic energy than beta particles.

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