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Gamma rays go through most light materials, such as plastic, building materials and are effectively diminished by heavier materials such as lead. It depends on the energy of the gamma ray, but the amount of radiation can often be cut in half by one centimeter thickness of a heavy metal. One centimeter of plastic or wood does not stop more than a few percent of the radiation.

Specific Examples:

To a rough approximation, the mass density of the material determines how well it blocks gamma rays, not just the thickness. Lead has a density over 11 times greater than water, so one inch thickness of lead should be worth 11 inches for shielding gamma rays. In the table below, you can see lead actually does even better. The thickness necessary to reduce gamma radiation by half is listed with the density of the material in parentheses.

lead 1.0 cm (11.3 g/cm^3

steel 2.5 cm (7.86 g/cm^3

concrete 6 cm (3.33 g/cm^3

soil 9 cm (1.99 g/cm^3

water 18 cm (1 g/cm^3)

wood 302 cm (0.56 g/cm^3)

air 15000 cm (0.0012 g/cm^3)

Gamma rays can have any energy, so these numbers not equally good for all gamma rays, but work for the sort of radiation humans might encounter due to radioactivity on Earth.

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Q: Do gamma rays go through thin plastic?
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Related questions

What objects can stop gamma rays?

Gamma rays can be blocked by a thick amount of lead. Alpha -> goes through thin mica -> then stops at skin or paper. Beta -> Goes through thin mica - then goes through skin or paper -> gets stopped at lead. Gamma -> Goes through thin mica -> goes through skin or paper -> then can be slowed down by lead or can be stopped completely by a thick amount of lead. I may have Beta and alpha mixed up but please excuse me as im writing this out of my book (:


Can air get through thin plastic?

Yes, air can pass through thin plastic. The rate of air permeability depends on the type and thickness of the plastic material.


What are the components of natural radiation in order from least to most penetrating?

The components of natural radiation in order from least to most penetrating are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Alpha particles are the least penetrating and can be stopped by a piece of paper, beta particles can penetrate through skin but can be stopped by thin aluminum or plastic, while gamma rays are the most penetrating and require dense materials like lead or concrete to shield against them.


What is more dangerous gamma or alpha rays?

Gamma rays are more dangerous than alpha rays because they are electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate deeply into tissues, causing damage at the atomic level whereas alpha rays are less penetrating and can be shielded by something as thin as a piece of paper.


Is beryllium a lightweight metal through which X-rays pass easily?

Yes, beryllium is transparent to x-rays; windows of x-rays tubes are made from a thin foil of beryllium.


Will plastic show an image during radiography?

It is possible, especially if the plastic is a nice thick chunk. If it is a thin layer it may very well be invisible to x-rays but still visible to ultrasound or NMR.


Can light go through thin skin?

yes. it doesn't matter how thick or thin your skin is. The melatonin in your skin gets activated from the UV rays of the sun.


Damaging effects of alpha beta and gamma?

Alpha radiation can cause damage by ionizing nearby atoms, potentially leading to DNA mutations and increasing cancer risk. Beta radiation can penetrate deeper into the body than alpha radiation, causing tissue damage and increasing the risk of cancer. Gamma radiation is highly penetrating and can damage cells and tissues throughout the body, increasing the risk of cancer and other health problems.


What can beta go through?

Beta is weak so it can only penetrate through thin material ,sayyy paper but it is then blocked by thick plastic


Is thin plastic wrap is a transparent object?

Yes, thin plastic wrap is a transparent object because it allows light to pass through, making objects behind it visible. Transparent objects are those that transmit light without scattering it, allowing us to see through them clearly.


Which type of radiation can penetrate a thin piece of lead?

Yes, but anything will block all radiation, if you use enough of it. Lead, being very dense, is very efficient in blocking most radiation even in fairly modest thicknesses. For example, when you go to the dentist for an X-ray, the radiologist covers you with a lead-foil apron.The very best material to block radiation, in terms of cost, is about a half-mile thickness of dirt. Cheap, and very effective. However, it is difficult to transport. Some types of radiation, like alpha particles, can be blocked very effectively by a sheet of paper. Electromagnetic radiation such as gamma rays or X-rays requires a material with high density to block it.


What kind of electromagnetic energy penetrates solids?

X-rays and gamma rays are types of electromagnetic energy that have high energy levels and are able to penetrate solids such as metal and rock. Due to their shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies, they can pass through materials that visible light cannot.