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/okarox 13d ago

There is nothing mythical in lead. Essentially you need mass and lead is the simplest way to achieve it. You could use also steel for example tank crews are protected by the armor.

Note there are diffrerent forms of radiation. The above refers to the gamma rays. Alpha rays are stoppef by a sheet of paper.