To penetrate a thicker or denser material, you would need a source with what characteristic?

To effectively penetrate thicker or denser materials, a radiation source must have more energy, which is typically associated with shorter wavelengths. High-energy radiation, such as gamma rays or X-rays, possesses greater penetrating power compared to low-energy radiation.

Shorter wavelengths correlate with higher frequency and greater energy, as described by the electromagnetic spectrum. This relationship allows high-energy radiation to overcome the dense structure of materials and pass through them more effectively.

In contrast, longer wavelengths lack the energy needed to penetrate dense barriers, while higher mass does not inherently relate to the energy of the radiation produced. Less radiation would result in even less ability to penetrate materials, which further supports the necessity of a source with more energy for effective penetration.