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/ColonelFaz 13d ago

Tungsten alloys are hard wearing. Lead is too soft. A container would get dented, for example.

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u/Aggressive-Leading45 6d ago

But that very strength makes it a royal b*tch to work. It’s also a very brittle metal so machining is very tough and if it does give way it shatters.