Which radiation type primarily results in skin burns upon exposure?

Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons that can penetrate biological tissues but are generally not able to penetrate deeply into the body. When beta particles come into contact with the skin, they transfer energy to the tissues, which can result in localized heating and damage. This is particularly important because beta particles can penetrate the outer layer of the skin, leading to burns.

Skin burns from beta radiation can occur with sufficient exposure, as the energy deposited in the skin's surface cells can cause cellular damage, inflammation, and in severe cases, tissue necrosis. The severity of the burn depends on factors such as the intensity and duration of exposure.

In contrast, alpha particles, while they are highly ionizing, have very low penetration ability and cannot penetrate the skin. Gamma rays and neutrons have a different interaction with matter and mainly cause damage through deep tissue exposure rather than localized burns on the skin surface. Gamma rays can penetrate the body, but they do not cause burns in the same direct manner as beta particles when it comes to skin contact. Neutrons also penetrate matter differently and primarily pose a risk to internal organs rather than causing skin burns.