Question

Which type of radiation is powerful radiant energy that is not deflected as it passes between electrically charged plates?

Short answer

Gamma radiation is the type not deflected by electric fields.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

The task is to identify a type of radiation that is not affected by electric fields as it passes through charged plates. This implies that the radiation does not carry an electric charge.

Identifying Types of Radiation

There are three main types of radioactive radiation: alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation. Alpha and beta radiation consist of charged particles, which become deflected by electric fields, while gamma radiation is uncharged.

Characteristics of Gamma Radiation

Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays but with a higher energy. It is uncharged and therefore will pass through an electric field without being deflected, as it does not interact with electric fields in the same way as charged particles.

Key concepts

Electromagnetic Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is a fundamental concept in physics, describing the flow of energy through space at the speed of light. It consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other and the direction of energy propagation.
This means that electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to travel through, unlike sound waves, which require air or another medium. Instead, they can move through the vacuum of space.
Electromagnetic radiation encompasses a broad spectrum of wavelengths and frequencies. Here are some key points about the electromagnetic spectrum:

• It includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
• All types travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (or about 186,282 miles per second).
• The energy of electromagnetic radiation increases with frequency and decreases with wavelength. Thus, gamma rays at the high-frequency end have more energy than visible light.

Understanding electromagnetic radiation is crucial in fields like astronomy, medicine, and communications.

Radioactive Radiation

Radioactive radiation is emitted by unstable atoms, undergoing a process called radioactive decay, to reach a more stable state. There are three primary types of radioactive radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
This type of radiation is an integral part of nuclear physics and has various applications in science and industry.
Here's a breakdown of the main types:

• Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei and carries a positive charge. It is heavy and can be stopped by paper or skin, but it is dangerous if ingested or inhaled.
• Beta radiation involves fast-moving electrons or positrons which are negatively or positively charged, respectively. It is lighter than alpha radiation and can be stopped by a few millimeters of plastic or glass.
• Gamma radiation is high-energy electromagnetic radiation and is more penetrating than alpha or beta radiation. It requires dense materials like lead or several centimeters of concrete to stop.

These radioactive emissions are used in medical imaging, cancer treatments, and as an energy source in nuclear reactors.

Electric Fields

An electric field is a fundamental concept in electrostatics, representing the force that a charge exerts on other charges around it. It is a vector field, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
The electric field arrow points away from positive charges and towards negative charges, illustrating the direction a positive test charge would move.
Here are some important aspects of electric fields:

• Electric fields can exert forces on charged particles, causing them to accelerate. This is why alpha and beta radiation, which are charged, deflect in electric fields.
• The strength of an electric field ( E ) is measured in volts per meter (V/m) and is directly proportional to the force experienced by a test charge ( F ), divided by the charge's size ( q ). Mathematically, this is expressed as  E = F/q .
• Electric fields play a critical role in various technologies, such as capacitors, which store electrical energy.

Understanding how electric fields work is essential for grasping concepts in electronics, electrical engineering, and physics.