X-ray question - frequencies and energies

[Deathnote777]

X-ray question -- frequencies and energies

Homework Statement

1. Why does x-ray with higher frequency possesses higher ionizing power and penetrating power ?
2. Will gamma ray with higher frequency possesses higher ionizing power and penetrating power ? And is "gamma ray has no mass" a reason accounting for its low ionizing power ?
3. Then for alpha and beta radiation, will they possesses higher ionizing power and penetrating power by increasing their speed ? Thank you.

Homework Equations

Nil

The Attempt at a Solution

1. Is it because energy of it increase ? So it can hit air molecules more vigorously and possesses higher KE and travel longer ?
2. I think mass should be one of the reasons just like that of alpha radiation. But my book says it is not. Only charge affect gamma 's ionizing power
3. I think yes ?

 

[mfb]

1. Is it because energy of it increase ? So it can hit air molecules more vigorously and possesses higher KE and travel longer ?

The first part is right, but the increased penetrating power is a different effect - the probability of an interaction goes down with increasing energy. This is a result of quantum mechanics, I don't know of any classical model to explain it.

And is "gamma ray has no mass" a reason accounting for its low ionizing power ?

I don't think this is a meaningful question. If a photon would have mass (in particular, enough to see it in gamma ray absorption), we would live in a completely different world.

Only charge affect gamma 's ionizing power

Charge in the absorber - the gamma rays (photons) have no charge.

3. I think yes ?

Right

 

[Deathnote777]

Thank you