What about the Neutrinos? They are literally penetrating all humans billions of times right now. The amount that go through your butt right now without consent is staggering.

[–] DriftinGrifter@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 year ago

We all know the tru e alphas are the bottoms ~(-_-)~

[–] Neato@ttrpg.network 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Because neutrons are uncharged, they are more penetrating than alpha radiation or beta radiation. In some cases they are more penetrating than gamma radiation, which is impeded in materials of high atomic number.

I did not know that neutrons could penetrate farther than gamma rays by their virtue of being neutral. Also never heard gamma rays be called y-rays. Wonder what the z-rays will be if we ever name any.

[–] Proxima_Centauri11@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

The "y" you're seeing on the table is actually γ, or lower-case gamma!

[–] CptEnder@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Did not know about the neutrons either as well as gamma rays having the same penetration as x-rays. Was always taught gamma radiation is insta toast no matter what kind of protection.

[–] cafeinux@infosec.pub 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

γ is the Greek letter gamma. Those are γ-rays, not y-rays.

[–] Pilgrim@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

So why are X-rays the only ones that are just X if the rest are Greek

[–] Malgas@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

In an 1895 paper, Röntgen used "X" to label an unknown type of radiation. And the name stuck, despite his later objections. (Some languages do call them Röntgen rays.)

[–] blindsight@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Here's a link with more details on the story