What are the three main types of ionizing radiation?

The three main types of ionizing radiation are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. These forms of radiation are capable of removing tightly bound electrons from atoms, thereby ionizing them, which can have significant biological effects.

Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, making them relatively heavy and charged. They have low penetration power, which means they can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of human skin, but they can cause significant damage if ingested or inhaled.

Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted from certain types of radioactive decay. They are lighter than alpha particles and can penetrate further into materials, requiring denser materials, such as plastic or glass, to effectively shield against them.

Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation. Unlike alpha and beta particles, gamma rays have no mass or charge, allowing them to penetrate deeply into materials and requiring dense shielding, such as lead or several centimeters of concrete, for protection.

In contrast, the other choices include forms of radiation that are not classified as ionizing. For example, protons and neutrons are not types of radiation that typically arise from radioactive decay processes. X-rays, while they can be ionizing, are fundamentally