- #1
pivoxa15
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Homework Statement
Why are gamma rays potentially more dangerous than either alpha particles or beta particles?
Homework Equations
none
The Attempt at a Solution
Is it because gamma rays travel more distance before ionising matter so when a gamma ray is fired at you, it could get well inside your body and damage your internal cells. Whereas alpha and beta particles, even though carry more energy, ionises much more quickly, without traveling far so it may just damage the outer parts of your body which consists of dead cells anyway.