Final answer:
Beta radiation can be stopped by a one-quarter inch thick sheet of aluminum, but materials like lead are also commonly used for shielding despite potential irradiation of the material itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beta radiation requires a material with enough density to block the high penetration power of beta particles. While alpha particles can be blocked by something as thin as paper, beta particles can pass through paper and wood but are stopped effectively by metal barriers. Most resources agree that a one-quarter inch thick sheet of aluminum is sufficient to stop beta radiation. However, because of various interactions, materials like lead are also effective for shielding against beta particles, although the beta electron may be blocked, the target material could become irradiated in the process.Beta radiation requires a material with enough density to block the high penetration power of beta particles. While alpha particles can be blocked by something as thin as paper, beta particles can pass through paper and wood but are stopped effectively by metal barriers. Most resources agree that a one-quarter inch thick sheet of aluminum is sufficient to stop beta radiation. However, because of various interactions, materials like lead are also effective for shielding against beta particles, although the beta electron may be blocked, the target material could become irradiated in the process.