Which radiation has medium penetration and shielding by light materials such as plastic or wood?

Which radiation has medium penetration and shielding by light materials such as plastic or wood?

• A. Alpha
• B. Gamma
• C. Beta
• D. Neutron

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how far different types of radiation travel in matter and what kind of shielding each requires. Beta particles are fast electrons emitted from nuclei. They penetrate more than alpha particles but less than gamma rays. Because they interact mainly through ionization and are relatively light, light shielding materials like plastic or wood can stop them effectively; the exact thickness needed depends on their energy, but a sheet of plastic or a few centimeters of wood is usually enough. In contrast, alpha particles are stopped by skin or a sheet of paper, gamma rays require dense shielding such as lead or concrete, and neutrons need hydrogen-rich materials to slow them down. So the radiation with medium penetration that can be shielded by light materials is beta radiation.

The main idea is how far different types of radiation travel in matter and what kind of shielding each requires. Beta particles are fast electrons emitted from nuclei. They penetrate more than alpha particles but less than gamma rays. Because they interact mainly through ionization and are relatively light, light shielding materials like plastic or wood can stop them effectively; the exact thickness needed depends on their energy, but a sheet of plastic or a few centimeters of wood is usually enough. In contrast, alpha particles are stopped by skin or a sheet of paper, gamma rays require dense shielding such as lead or concrete, and neutrons need hydrogen-rich materials to slow them down. So the radiation with medium penetration that can be shielded by light materials is beta radiation.