What property determines how deeply radiation can penetrate materials?

The property that determines how deeply radiation can penetrate materials is the energy level of the radiation. Higher energy radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays, has great penetrating power, allowing it to pass through various materials, including human tissue and concrete. This is due to the high energy photons, which interact less frequently with matter compared to lower energy particles.

In contrast, radiation types with lower energy levels, such as alpha and beta particles, have much lower penetration ability. Alpha particles, for instance, can be stopped by a sheet of paper, while beta particles require denser materials to shield against them effectively.

Understanding the energy level also helps in evaluating the potential hazards posed by different types of radiation. Higher energy levels imply a greater likelihood of penetrating materials and causing biological effects, which is crucial for assessing risks in health and safety management.