Video Transcript
Greek letters are used to represent different types of ionizing radiation. Which type of ionizing radiation is represented by the symbol shown? (A) X-rays, (B) beta particles, (C) gamma rays, or (D) alpha particles.
Each of the answer choices represents a different type of ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is radiation that carries enough energy to remove electrons from atoms. Depending on the energy of the radiation and the length of exposure, ionizing radiation can be particularly harmful to biological systems. Both X-rays and gamma rays are high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. Beta particles, specifically beta minus particles, are high-energy electrons, while alpha particles are large, fast-moving particles, which consists of two positively charged protons and two neutral neutrons.
We are asked in the question which of these types of ionizing radiation can be represented by a specific Greek letter. Beta particles, gamma rays, and alpha particles can each be represented by a Greek letter with a corresponding name. Beta particles are represented by the Greek letter 𝛽, gamma rays are represented by the Greek letter 𝛾, and alpha particles are represented by the Greek letter 𝛼. From this, we can see that the Greek letter given in the question can be used to represent alpha particles, answer choice (D).
