differentiate soft and hard rays

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In terms of radiation, soft and hard rays refer to the energy levels of the emitted radiation.

Soft rays: Soft rays are characterized by low energy levels. They typically have a low penetrating ability and are easily absorbed by matter. Examples of soft rays include alpha particles, which are helium nuclei consisting of two protons and two neutrons, and beta particles, which are high-energy electrons or positrons.

Hard rays: Hard rays, on the other hand, contain high energy levels. They have a greater penetrating ability and can travel further through matter without being absorbed. Examples of hard rays include gamma rays, which are high-energy electromagnetic radiation, and X-rays, which have higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths than gamma rays.

The ability of hard rays to penetrate matter makes them useful in various fields, such as medical imaging, while the low penetration of soft rays means they are more easily shielded and can be used for radiation therapy.