What form of ionizing radiation can penetrate deeply into body tissue?

Ionizing radiation is categorized based on its ability to penetrate materials, including biological tissues. Photons, which include gamma rays and X-rays, are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate deeply into body tissues. This is due to their high energy and the way they interact with matter. Unlike alpha and beta particles, which are charged and interact more readily with matter—leading to greater absorption and lower penetration capability—photons can pass through tissue more effectively.

While neutrons are also capable of penetrating materials deeply due to their neutral charge, they are distinct from photons in how they interact with matter. Photons are generally considered the most penetrating of the common forms of ionizing radiation, able to traverse several centimeters of body tissue and potentially cause damage at the cellular level, depending on their energy levels.

In summary, the ability of photons to penetrate deeply into tissues marks them as the predominant form of ionizing radiation in this context.