Here's why:
* High Energy: Gamma rays have the highest energy among all types of electromagnetic radiation.
* No Mass: They are massless photons, meaning they interact less frequently with matter compared to particles like alpha and beta.
* Penetrating Power: This high energy and lack of mass allow them to penetrate deeply into matter, passing through many layers of atoms without significant interaction.
Other types of radiation and their penetration ability:
* Alpha radiation: Easily stopped by a sheet of paper or even the outer layer of skin.
* Beta radiation: Can be stopped by a thin sheet of metal or a few centimeters of plastic.
* X-rays: Can penetrate soft tissues but are stopped by denser materials like bone.
Note: Even gamma radiation can be stopped eventually, but it requires very dense materials like lead or concrete.
