Concept:Ionizing power depends directly on the mass and electrical charge of a particle. Particles with higher charge and mass interact more strongly with surrounding atoms.
Solution:- Alpha (\(\alpha\)) particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, giving them a heavy mass of 4 amu and a double positive charge (\(+2e\)).
- Because they are massive and heavily charged, they move relatively slowly and exert a massive electromagnetic pull on atomic electrons.
- This causes them to aggressively strip electrons from nearby atoms, making them the most ionizing type of nuclear radiation.
Why other options are incorrect:Beta particles have only a \(-1e\) charge and tiny mass, making them moderately ionizing. Gamma rays are uncharged, massless photons, making them the least ionizing.
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