Fill in the Blank QuestionFill in the blank question.Compared to alpha particles, beta particles are much and more penetrating.

Compared to alpha particles, beta particles are much lighter and more penetrating.

Explanation

Alpha particles are composed of two protons and two neutrons, making them relatively heavy and positively charged. Because of their mass and charge, they interact strongly with matter, which results in a limited penetrating power. They can be stopped by just a few centimeters of air or a sheet of paper.

In contrast, beta particles are much lighter, consisting of electrons or positrons (depending on whether they are beta-minus or beta-plus). They are negatively charged (beta-minus) or positively charged (beta-plus) and have significantly less mass compared to alpha particles. This allows beta particles to penetrate further into materials. They can travel several millimeters in human tissue and can pass through paper but require denser materials, like plastic or aluminum, to be effectively stopped. Thus, their differential in mass and interaction with matter results in greater penetration capability.