2007-07-11 06:59:09 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
6 feet on concrete is radiation proof. Different types of radiation penetrate different things to different depths. Aluminum foil will stop beta, paper will stop alpha. Gamma needs lead or 6 feet of concrete
2007-07-11 07:02:46 · answer #1 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lead is not radiation proof. Nothing is. Any material will reduce the amount of radiation passing through it based on the thickness and density of the material. Lead is frequently used as a radiation shield because it is very dense and fairly cheap. It's also easy to shape.
There are some materials that work better as radiation shields, but are more expensive. Tungsten is one you see used fairly often. You also see depleted uranium (U-235) despite its own slight radioactivity because it is extremely dense.
2007-07-11 14:04:37 · answer #2 · answered by Michael C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ALMOST any heavy metal or material, if thick enough, can be used as a shield. One thing you have to remember, is that radiation travels between molecules, and the denser the material is, the less radiation can go through it. Look at previous answers for these metals like Lead, Tungsten alloys, cement, etc.
2007-07-11 14:08:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋