Beta rays, interactions with matter

Each of the types of radiation has a characteristic way of interacting with matter and transferring its energy. Alpha radiation has the least penetrating power and its effects are limited to the surface layers of a material, so it only needs to be considered when a surface is contaminated by an alpha emitter. Beta radiation has a range of up to a centimetre or two whilst X-ray, gamma... 

Neutrons which are uncharged particles. Therefore, they do not produce ionization directly. But, their interaction with the atoms of matter can give rise to alpha, beta, gamma, or X-rays which then produce ionization. Neutrons are penetrating and can only be stopped by thick masses of concrete, water, or paraffin. 

Since gamma rays are electromagnetic waves, they are not charged and do not have any mass, they interact differently with matter than do alpha and beta particles, although the net effect is usually still ionization of an orbital electron. They interact with the electrons in matter... 

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