Which of the following is a type of particulate radiation?

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Particulate radiation is characterized by the presence of particles rather than electromagnetic waves. Alpha particles are a prime example of this type of radiation. They consist of two protons and two neutrons, which means they have mass and charge. This makes alpha particles substantially different from forms of radiation like X-rays and gamma rays, which are types of electromagnetic radiation and do not have mass or charge.

Ultraviolet radiation also falls under the category of electromagnetic radiation and, similar to X-rays and gamma rays, does not consist of discrete particles. The defining feature of particulate radiation is the physical particles that make up the radiation, as in the case of alpha particles, which are heavy and have a relatively low penetration ability compared to electromagnetic radiation.

Understanding the distinction between particulate and electromagnetic radiation is crucial in fields like radiology and nuclear medicine, as it influences how radiation interacts with matter and its biological effects.

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