Question detail
Which material is effective at stopping alpha radiation?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
- A. Lead
- B. Aluminium
- C. Paper
- D. Glass
Answer
Paper
Explanation
Alpha particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper due to their large mass and charge, making them ineffective at penetrating such materials.
Common mistake
Alpha Radiation Characteristics
Students often confuse the ionising power of alpha radiation with its penetrating ability, thinking that strong ionisation means it can penetrate materials well.
To fix this, remember that alpha radiation is strongly ionising due to its mass and charge, but it is weakly penetrating because it can be stopped by a sheet of paper or even the outer layer of human skin.
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