Which type of radiation is known to cause the most damage to human tissue?

The choice that identifies which type of radiation is known to cause the most damage to human tissue is ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation. UV-B radiation is a component of sunlight and sits in the range of wavelengths between 280 nm and 320 nm. This type of radiation is particularly effective in causing skin damage, including sunburn and long-term effects such as skin cancer. It has enough energy to penetrate the skin and damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that can contribute to cancer and other serious skin conditions.

In contrast, X-rays, while they are ionizing radiation and can cause significant harm, are typically used in controlled medical settings where the exposure is carefully managed. Infrared radiation primarily contributes to heat sensation and does not have enough energy to cause direct damage to biological tissues at the levels typically encountered. Visible light, on the other hand, is essential for vision and does not damage tissue in the way that UV-B does. Thus, when it comes to the potential for causing harm to human tissue, UV-B is recognized as the most damaging among the listed types of radiation.