DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Test

Gamma radiation has the highest penetration power among the different types of radiation listed. This is due to its nature as electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays but with higher energy. Gamma rays have no mass and carry no charge, allowing them to travel through materials without being significantly attenuated.

In contrast, alpha radiation consists of heavy, positively charged particles that can be stopped by a sheet of paper or even the outer layer of human skin. Beta radiation, made up of lighter, negatively charged particles or positrons, can penetrate further than alpha particles but is still unable to pass through dense materials like aluminum.

While X-rays also possess significant penetrating ability, they are generally of lower energy compared to gamma rays, making them less effective at penetrating dense materials. Therefore, gamma radiation's combination of high energy and lack of mass makes it the most penetrating type of radiation, suitable for various medical and industrial applications.