Radiation - which is more dangerous, alpha or gamma?

Question

Alpha particles are more ionising. But gamma rays have more energy and can penetrate deeper.
Which one is more dangerous?

Answer 1

gamma

Answer 2

Alpha radiation is vastly more dangerous.

Although it cannot penetrate far into the body, an alpha source that is consumed or breathed in will cause serious problems. Most gamma rays go right through the body without causing any harm.

Polonium 235, for instance, is an alpha emitter and a tiny quantity of it was used to assassinate Alexander Litvinenko recently in London. Even the traces left in the places he had been (cafes, planes etc) were considered a threat to others.

Answer 3

<>Alpha and beta are particle radiation and can be deflected by skin, and clothing. Gamma is ray (x-ray) radiation and penetrates everything except thick earth and lead. Gamma is the most dangerous.

Answer 4

Nuclear Physics is a attractive and mathematically complicated technological awareness. Radiation is produced at the same time as the flexibility state transformations. Atoms with large atomic numbers ruin aside clearly. The damaged aspects and the flexibility left over are the fragments of the unique atoms. One element of the atom that outcomes from radioactivity is the element of the nucleus. that's a small section it really is such as Helium. If has a particularly extreme mass and electric powered charge. (+2) This piece is termed an Alpha particle. considering the fact that is is particularly large, it better honestly interacts with different atoms it encounters and is absorbed by using them. it is going to shuttle numerous inches in air. that's risky because its extreme charge can disrupt residing cells honestly. the 2d section is an electron. It has a unfavorable charge (-a million). that's such as electrical energy and ought to disrupt residing cells by using penetrating them and disrupting their electric powered approaches. Its penetration relies upon on its speed it really is measured in voltage. The third radiation is a photon of power. that's named a Gamma Ray, and is such as a extreme power X-Ray. the numerous distinction is that X-Rays - those days - are produced by using machines and are used in commercial or medical approaches. Gamma rays are the left over power that became produced at the same time as an atom became right into a decrease power state. Gamma rays are extreme frequency and that permits them to penetrate a lot farther than Alpha or Beta debris. at the same time as the residing cells take up the radioactive power, their electric powered approaches will be disrupted and their chemical bonds will be damaged. this would bring about lack of existence of the cellular, or genetic damage, perchance mutation or maximum cancers. :-D All kinds of radiation will be risky. the better the frequency, the better power they create.

Answer 5

Gamma radiation is the most dangerous because it is an ionizing radiation. It destroys cell integrity. Of a high enough energy level, it simply does what any high power radiation does, it cooks tissue.

Answer 6

pretty sure it is the gamma rays. Been some years since I went to science class in high school

Answer 7

Gamma is generally considered the worst from most textbooks I have read. I can't remember the exact reasons mentioned, though.

Answer 8

It depends:
Gamma is "safe" if it's outside as all it does it pass-through your body. BUT Alpha if is in the body, the particles couldn't penetrate the skin out...so it's more "dangerous".