Beta particles are described as?

Beta particles are described as?

• A. Beta particles are positively charged and slowly moving
• B. Beta particles are negatively charged and low penetrating
• C. Faster and more penetrating than alpha. Eye and skin damage can occur from strong sources
• D. Non-ionizing radiation

Answer: (C)

Beta radiation consists of fast-moving electrons (beta particles), which are ionizing radiation. They travel faster and penetrate more than alpha particles, so strong beta sources can cause eye and skin damage from external exposure. That combination—being faster and more penetrating than alpha and capable of damaging skin or eyes with sufficient energy—is what makes this description correct. In contrast, beta particles are not positively charged in the common safety sense (they can be negative or positive depending on type, but beta minus is negative and the usual concern is its penetrating ability), and beta radiation is ionizing, not non-ionizing, so the other statements don’t fit.

Beta radiation consists of fast-moving electrons (beta particles), which are ionizing radiation. They travel faster and penetrate more than alpha particles, so strong beta sources can cause eye and skin damage from external exposure. That combination—being faster and more penetrating than alpha and capable of damaging skin or eyes with sufficient energy—is what makes this description correct. In contrast, beta particles are not positively charged in the common safety sense (they can be negative or positive depending on type, but beta minus is negative and the usual concern is its penetrating ability), and beta radiation is ionizing, not non-ionizing, so the other statements don’t fit.