Question

Shielding compounds with Beta particle emission is extremely important when their energy is above a few 100 kev because:

A) They can cause skin burns
B) They penetrate materials easily
C) They have longer half-lives
D) They are less harmful

Answer 1

Beta particles have greater penetration power than alpha particles and can cause harm by causing skin burns and easily penetrating materials. Therefore, using appropriate shielding compounds is important when their energy is above a few 100 keV.

Step-by-step explanation:

Beta particles are small and have less ionizing power, but they have greater penetration power compared to alpha particles. They can pass through a hand or a thin layer of material like paper or wood, but they are stopped by a thin layer of metal. On the other hand, alpha particles can be easily stopped by very thin shielding like a sheet of paper or the top layer of skin cells.

Therefore, when the energy of shielding compounds with beta particle emission is above a few 100 keV, it is extremely important to use appropriate shielding materials. Beta particles can cause skin burns and penetrate materials easily, making it crucial to use shielding to protect against their harmful effects.