Answer
See answers.
Work Step by Step
a. As discussed on page 899, $\alpha$ and $\beta$ particles are charged and when they pass close to another atom, the intense electric field can ionize the material. $\gamma$ rays aren’t charged, but they can eject electrons via the photoelectric effect or they can Compton scatter from bound electrons in atoms, thus ionizing and damaging the material. Energetic neutrons interact with material mainly by colliding with other nuclei, breaking them and altering the material.
b. In nuclear reactor plants and space vehicles that suffer intense cosmic radiation, it is observed that metals become brittle and weaker. The mechanism is due to the radiation forming atomic vacancies or dislocations in the crystal structure of the metal.
c. Living cells are damaged by the ionization that occurs within them; these reactive ions or radicals can then participate in chemical reactions, and interfere with the cell’s normal chemical reactions. Also, the radiation can ionize and alter important molecules within the cell, such as DNA. These mutations can affect how the cell divides and how it functions.
