Which type of radiation can interact directly with matter, leading to ionization?

The correct response is that both alpha and beta particles can interact directly with matter, leading to ionization. This is because both types of particles possess sufficient mass and charge to collide with atoms in the materials they encounter, causing the ejection of electrons from those atoms and ultimately resulting in ionization.

Alpha particles are heavy, positively charged particles that consist of two protons and two neutrons. When they pass through matter, their strong interaction with electrons in atoms leads to significant ionization, even over relatively short ranges. This ability to ionize matter makes alpha particles particularly hazardous if they enter the body.

Beta particles, on the other hand, are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive decay. Their smaller mass compared to alpha particles allows them to penetrate materials more efficiently, albeit to a lesser degree of ionization compared to alpha particles. When beta particles interact with matter, they also ionize atoms through direct collisions, albeit often with less energy transferred than that of alpha particles.

In contrast, gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation and do not possess mass or charge. They interact with matter primarily through indirect processes, such as the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, or pair production, which do not involve direct ionization of