Blast Through IGCSE Physics in 2025 – Ace Your Exam Adventure!

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What is the penetrating strength of alpha particles?

Moderately penetrating

Very penetrating

Weakly penetrating

Alpha particles have a weak penetrating strength due to their relatively large mass and positive charge. They consist of two protons and two neutrons, which makes them significantly heavier than other forms of radiation, such as beta particles or gamma rays. Because of their size and charge, alpha particles interact strongly with matter, leading to a high probability of ionization when they collide with atoms.

This strong interaction means that alpha particles can be stopped by materials as light as a sheet of paper or even the outer layer of human skin. While they can be hazardous if ingested or inhaled because they can cause significant damage to internal tissues, their inability to penetrate barriers effectively means they are considered weakly penetrating. Therefore, the choice that states their penetrating strength is weakly penetrating aligns perfectly with their physical properties and interaction with matter.

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Not penetrating

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