The three forms of radiation include alpha, beta, and which other type?

The correct answer is gamma radiation, which is one of the three main types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay, along with alpha and beta radiation. Gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons, which are electromagnetic waves. These photons have no mass and no charge, allowing them to penetrate materials more effectively than either alpha or beta particles.

Unlike alpha particles, which are clusters of two protons and two neutrons, and beta particles, which can be electrons or positrons emitted from a nucleus, gamma rays provide a form of energy without any associated particle mass. This ability to penetrate materials makes gamma radiation particularly significant in various fields, including medical imaging and radiation therapy, as well as in nuclear science and safety.

Understanding the characteristics of gamma radiation, alongside alpha and beta radiation, is crucial because it helps in grasping the broader implications of radiation in both theoretical physics and practical applications such as radiation protection measures.