Question

Why alpha - particles cannot travel through the air for a long distance?

• A. They travel at very high speeds.
• B. They possess high kinetic energy.
• C. They have high ionizing power but less penetrating power.
• D. They have high penetrating power.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

They have high ionizing power but less penetrating power.

Because $\alpha -particles$ are least energetic than $\beta -particles$ and $\gamma -rays$, so they suffer more collisions with the atoms when passing through in air. As they have high ionizing power but less penetrating power, their energy is soon exhausted.