Practice question

Energy spectrum distinguishes radiation types. Alpha particles typically carry 4 to 8 MeV discrete energies and beta spectra are continuous up to about 1 to 2 MeV due to neutrino sharing. Gamma rays arise from nuclear de-excitation with energies governed by nuclear level differences, commonly 0.1 to 3.0 MeV, though some exceed. This range allows penetration of tissues and requires lead shielding. The narrow specified range of 0.1 to 3 MeV is characteristic of gamma photons used in biological tracer and medical imaging rather than alpha or beta continua.