# A student is investigating three types of nuclear radiation: alpha, beta and gamma. Describe how the penetrating ability of each type of radiation differs, and state what material is needed to stop each type.

> WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales) — 2.7 Types of radiation · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Alpha radiation has the least penetrating ability / is stopped by a few centimetres of air or a sheet of paper
2. Beta radiation has intermediate penetrating ability / is stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium (or equivalent thin metal sheet)
3. Gamma radiation has the greatest penetrating ability / is never completely stopped but is significantly reduced by thick lead or thick concrete
4. Correct ordering of penetrating ability: alpha least, beta intermediate, gamma greatest

## Key terms

- [penetrating ability](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/penetrating-ability)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-is-investigating-three-types-473bc84c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.