What kind of radiation is more harmful: alpha, beta or gamma?
An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, an ionized helium atom. Alpha particles are comparatively large and cannot penetrate much more than a sheet of paper or a few inches of air. But if materials that emit alpha particles are inhaled, ingested or enter your body through a cut in your skin, they can be very harmful. Beta radiation is a flow of electrons. Beta radiation obtains higher permeability and penetrates organism tissues at the depth of 1-2 cm. It cannot be stopped by a sheet of paper. Some beta particles can be stopped by human skin, but some need a thicker shield (like wood) to stop them. Just like alpha particles, beta particles can also cause serious damage to your health if they are inhaled or swallowed. Gamma rays are the most penetrating of these three types of radiation. Gamma rays will penetrate paper, skin, wood, and other substances. Like alpha and beta particles, they are also harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed. To protect yourself from gamma rays, you need a s
