ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the fate of charged particles and γ-quanta travelling through matter with energies which are some orders of magnitude in excess of the mean binding energy of the electron, otherwise called the mean ionization potential I, that is with energies of 0.01–0.1 MeV and more. It shows that electromagnetic interactions play the main role in the transport of charged particles and γ-quanta through matter. The chapter considers cosmic rays. In this case radiation from the cosmos passes through the atmosphere, with extraterrestrial radiation exposure being imparted through primary interactions with nuclei in the air. The essential characteristic of cosmic rays is found in the energy distribution of its components. The energy of primary particles is expended in two stages: firstly the energy of the primary particle is transformed in the creating of a number of secondary particles, and then the kinetic energy of the latter is lost in causing ionization of the atmosphere.
