Final answer:
The containment needed to protect against different types of radiation depends on their penetration power and ionizing potential. Alpha particles can be stopped by thin shielding like paper or plastic, while beta particles require thicker shielding like lead. Gamma rays require thick and dense materials like lead or concrete for protection, and neutron radiation can be protected against using materials like water or concrete.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimum containment needed to protect against different types of radiation depends on their penetration power and ionizing potential.
Alpha radiation: Alpha particles have low penetration power and can be stopped by a few centimeters of air, a sheet of paper, or even the dead layers of our skin. Therefore, a simple enclosure made of paper, plastic, or a thin layer of metal would provide sufficient containment.
Beta radiation: Beta particles have higher penetration power than alpha particles. They can pass through a few millimeters of tissue or about a meter of air. To protect against beta radiation, a thicker shielding such as lead or a material with similar properties is required.
Gamma radiation: Gamma rays have a much greater range than alpha and beta particles. They can penetrate many meters of air, go through our bodies, and are effectively shielded by many centimeters of lead. To protect against gamma radiation, thick and dense materials like lead or concrete are needed.
Neutron radiation: Neutrons are neutral particles and are not easily stopped by usual materials. Therefore, to protect against neutron radiation, materials such as water, concrete, or paraffin can be used. These materials slow down the neutrons and absorb them through collisions.