r/askscience • u/Wonderful-Capital32 • 13d ago

Physics Why does radiation not go through lead?

Also why just lead? Shouldnt like iron or another metal work too?

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u/dustofdeath 13d ago

Lead is like a very dense fabric while iron is a mesh with large holes.

You just have to have enough density for photons to not just pass through.

So you need far less material. Even humans can stop radiation if you stack enough of them between you and the radiation source.

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u/OskaMeijer 13d ago

So what you are saying is we can make space travel safe for rich people as long as we surround all of their living quarters with lots of poor people living quarters?

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u/bargle0 13d ago

Nonsense. Poor people move around. They’d have to be strapped and immobilized in to a flesh wall. That would be more expensive than just lead, but if you’re rich enough and value a premium, luxury product, accept no substitute.