Which type of radiation bears no net charge?

Which type of radiation bears no net charge?

• A. Gamma
• B. Alpha
• C. Beta
• D. Neutron

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that electromagnetic radiation is made of photons, which have no electric charge. Among the common radiation types from radioactive processes, gamma rays are the electromagnetic ones, so they carry no net charge. Alpha particles are helium nuclei with a +2 charge, and beta particles are fast electrons or positrons with charges of −1 or +1, respectively. Neutrons are uncharged particles, but they are a type of particulate radiation, not electromagnetic radiation. So the radiation that bears no net charge is gamma radiation.

The main idea is that electromagnetic radiation is made of photons, which have no electric charge. Among the common radiation types from radioactive processes, gamma rays are the electromagnetic ones, so they carry no net charge. Alpha particles are helium nuclei with a +2 charge, and beta particles are fast electrons or positrons with charges of −1 or +1, respectively. Neutrons are uncharged particles, but they are a type of particulate radiation, not electromagnetic radiation. So the radiation that bears no net charge is gamma radiation.