Arrange the following radiations in order of increasing ionization of air.
I. Alpha
Il. Gamma
IIl. Beta
Answer Details
The ionization of air refers to the process of creating charged particles by adding or removing electrons from atoms or molecules in the air. The ability of a radiation to ionize air depends on its energy and type.
Out of the given options, the correct order of increasing ionization of air is "II < III < I".
Gamma radiation has the highest energy and is the most penetrating type of radiation, but it has the lowest ionizing power because it interacts weakly with matter. It can only ionize air when it directly hits an atom or molecule.
Beta radiation has a medium energy and a higher ionizing power than gamma radiation. It can ionize air when it collides with an atom or molecule and transfers its energy to it, causing it to eject an electron.
Alpha radiation has the lowest energy and the highest ionizing power among the three types of radiation. It can ionize air when it collides with an atom or molecule, transfers its energy to it, and ejects one or more electrons.
Therefore, the correct order of increasing ionization of air is "II < III < I", where "II" represents gamma radiation, "III" represents beta radiation, and "I" represents alpha radiation.