Question

The biological damage caused by $1$ gray $\alpha$-radiation is compared with $1$ gray $\gamma$-radiation in the same type of human tissue. The damage caused by the $\gamma$-radiation is :

• A. more serious as compared to the damage caused by the $\alpha$-radiation
• B. less serious as compared to the damage caused by the $\alpha$-radiation
• C. equally serious as the damage caused by the $\alpha$-radiation
• D. incomparable with the damage caused by the $\alpha$-radiation, because $\gamma$-radiation are not particles

Answer 1

The correct option is B less serious as compared to the damage caused by the $\alpha$-radiation

The damage caused by the $\gamma$-radiation is less serious as compared to damage caused by the $\alpha$-radiation. This is because $\alpha$-radiation is more dangerous than beta or gamma if ingested because its power to ionize or to disrupt, atoms is $20$ times more than $\beta$ and $\gamma$. But if the source is outside the body or at a distance gamma radiation is much dangerous because it could penetrate thick walls of skin.