answersLogoWhite

0

What can stop alpha radiation?

Updated: 8/11/2023
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Best Answer

Alpha particles have little ability to penetrate. They are generally stopped by a few inches of air, or a piece of paper. In general, if they strike a person's body, they are stopped by the outermost layer of skin, which is mostly made up of dead cells. If they are emitted inside a person's body, however, the first cells they hit are likely to be living. So the protection from alpha particles consists primarily of being careful not to ingest or breath anything that can give them off.

The commonest source of alpha particles that cause problems is radon gas, which is often a problem in the basements of buildings, rooms with floors that contact the earth, and in well water. If there is any doubt about the presence of radon, it is wise to test the air. Many hardware stores have kits, they can be purchased online, and a variety of companies perform service. Remediation can be done on most buildings.

Some people work in environments where dust of alpha emitting materials could be breathed in or ingested. Precautions vary depending on the materials, but anyone who could conceivably be exposed should be instructed as to safety.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Alpha radiation has very low penetrating power. Even a sheet of paper is enough to stop most alpha rays.

However that is why they are the most dangerous to the unprotected human, since the particles are stopped by paper they hit our skin and do not pass through which is radiation which can result in mutations to the cells.

AS far as i know alpha radiation can't cause damage to the skin definitly no mutation to the cells

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Alpha radiation comprises of heavy positively charged paricles and they are easily stopped by clothing or a few mm of paper. Hence they do not harm as an external radiation hazard. But if these particles are ingested by inhalation or through mouth, they are very harmful.

Beta radiation are electrons which are comparativel lighter particles and they can be stopped by a few mms of plastic. Plastic shields like acrylic is preferred to metallic shields as the electrons interact with heavy metals to produce x-rays called Bremmstrahlung.

Gamma rays are highly penetrating and they are the major exyternal hazard. You have to use the principle of time - distance - shielding to protect yourself from gamma rays. Spend as little time as possible in the vicinity of gamma rays, keep a as large a distance as possible from a gamma source and use a heavy metal or high density object as shield between you and the source.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

alpaha radiation can possibilt stopped by paper

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Quite easily. It can only travel a few cms in air and it's not very penetrating so it can be stopped by a piece of paper or a layer of skin so it can't penetrate the body.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

alpha particles can be blocked by plastic while gamma rays can be stopped by lead.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

You can stop Beta radiation with a few millimeters of aluminum.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Adequate shielding and cooling of nuclear fissile material.

Maintaining quantities of nuclear material in quantities that remain below the levels of critical mass.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

use lead or just run for it

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago

Cardboard, textile, glass are sufficient.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What can stop alpha radiation?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What can be blocked with a sheet of paper?

A lot of things, but I think you might be referring to which form of radiation since this is the classic answer as to what would stop Alpha radiation. Furthermore tinfoil would stop alpha and beta radiation and lead would stop alpha, beta and gamma radiation.


What is a good stopper of ionizing radiation?

If by ionising radiation you mean alpha radiation (the most ionising out of alpha, beta and gamma radiation) then about a millimetre of paper would stop it. alpha radiation ionises the molecules of anything it reaches, but can pass through very few things due to its immense ionising power. This includes human tissue, but in all honesty, a large dose of alpha radiation wouldn't do human tissue alot of good. In short, almost any material can stop ionising radiation.


Is alpha radiation a ionization radiation?

Yes, alpha radiation is an ionizing radiation.


What material could possibly stop alpha gamma and beta radiation?

paper and flesh


Alpha is it ionizing?

Yes, alpha radiation is an ionizing radiation.


Why is the nuclear reactor surrounded by a thick concrete layer?

To stop radiation leaking out. Alpha and Beta types of radiation will be stopped by the concrete


What is the radiation type for alpha?

Alpha (and beta) radiation is "particle radiation" Gamma is electro-magnetic radiation.


Why is alpha radiation so deadly to humans?

It is only deadly if ingested. The skin will stop alpha radiation. It does not have much penetrating power. When inside the body it can cause cellular damage which can lead to cancer.


Is alpha decay the same as alpha radiation?

No. Decay is the process, radiation is the product.


How is alpha radiation detected?

A zinc sulfide scintillator probe is used to detect alpha radiation. The scintillator probe is just sensitive to alpha radiation.


What are the names of 2 types of ionising radiation?

Alpha and Beta Radiation are types of ionizing radiation. They are both charged particles though Alpha is heavier than the particle Beta.


What does alpha alpha radiation do?

It can be used for smoke detectors