Which type of ionizing radiation travels in tortuous paths through absorbing material?

Beta radiation is composed of high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons that are emitted during radioactive decay. When beta particles pass through absorbing materials, they interact with the atoms of the material, resulting in scattering and energy loss, which causes them to take tortuous paths rather than traveling in straight lines. This scattering effect is due to their relatively small mass and charge, which allows them to be deflected by interactions with electrons and nuclei within the absorbing medium.

In contrast, alpha particles, while also a form of ionizing radiation, are much larger and positively charged. They have a relatively short range in absorbing materials and are primarily absorbed by the outer layers of the skin or paper rather than traveling in complex trajectories. Gamma radiation and X-ray radiation, being forms of electromagnetic radiation, generally travel in straight lines and do not deviate significantly from their paths when passing through materials, except for certain interactions with matter.

Thus, the distinctive behavior of beta radiation in terms of its movement through materials—characterized by its ability to travel in non-linear paths—is what makes it the correct answer to the question.