Which type of radiation can travel through air with minimal interaction?

Study for the Radiation Safety Officer Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can travel through air with minimal interaction due to their high energy and lack of mass. Unlike alpha particles, which are charged and interact significantly with air molecules, gamma rays can penetrate materials more effectively and are less likely to scatter or be absorbed in the process. This characteristic enables gamma rays to travel long distances without losing energy, making them particularly significant in radiation safety assessments. While beta particles can also travel through air, they are still charged particles and will interact more than gamma rays, leading to greater energy loss over distance. Neutron radiation can travel through air as well, but it typically requires more significant interactions to be detected. Thus, gamma rays are the most appropriate answer for the form of radiation that travels through air with minimal interaction.

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