Which radiation has shielding with light materials such as plastic or wood?

Which radiation has shielding with light materials such as plastic or wood?

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

Answer: (C)

Beta radiation is effectively shielded by light materials such as plastic or wood because the particles are lightweight and carry a moderate amount of energy. When beta particles travel through matter, they lose energy mainly through collisions with electrons in the shielding material. A thin layer of low-density material—like plastic or wood—is enough to stop them, making these easy-to-handle shields common in beta applications. In contrast, alpha particles are stopped by even thinner, lighter barriers like a sheet of paper or skin, so they don’t require heavy shielding. Gamma rays are much more penetrating and need dense shielding (such as lead or thick concrete), and neutrons require hydrogen-rich materials to slow and capture them.

Beta radiation is effectively shielded by light materials such as plastic or wood because the particles are lightweight and carry a moderate amount of energy. When beta particles travel through matter, they lose energy mainly through collisions with electrons in the shielding material. A thin layer of low-density material—like plastic or wood—is enough to stop them, making these easy-to-handle shields common in beta applications.

In contrast, alpha particles are stopped by even thinner, lighter barriers like a sheet of paper or skin, so they don’t require heavy shielding. Gamma rays are much more penetrating and need dense shielding (such as lead or thick concrete), and neutrons require hydrogen-rich materials to slow and capture them.