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I'm going to assume that you're wondering why they can travel through matter so easily, which is kind of a layman's term for asking why their cross section is so low.
There's a number of reasons:
- They have almost no mass, so they travel at nearly the speed of light.
- They have no charge so they don't interact electromagnetically.
- They don't decay.
- They have no color so they aren't bound, unlike quarks.
- They only interact via the weak nuclear force, who's range is about 10-18m
This is why a neutrino can easily travel through a light-year of lead without interacting.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe neutron has mass, so it has kinetic energy. It also has no charge, so it does not interact with matter.
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What are the dangers of neutron radiation?
Neutron radiation is as dangerous as any other ionizing radiation, if not more dangerous,as by some sources, it can be as many as ten times more dangerous as other ionizing radiation. It is not directly ionizing radiation, since neutrons do not hold electric charge, but they interact (collide) with nuclei in it's path, creating isotopes, most of the time non-sable, radioactive isotopes. That is why neutron radiation induces a secondary radiation in the material it passes through. The penetration of neutron flux is rather strong, and is not affected by the shield density, as is the case with gamma radiation, but rather by a material rich with Hydrogen (deuterium) atoms, since H atoms contain one single proton/neutron, and the collision physics slow down the neutrons in this matter most efficiently. Therefore, heavy water, plexiglass, plastics and similar materials are used as an effective shield in neutron radiation protection.
What materials can nuclear radiation travel through?
The heavier and denser the material the more radiation it absorbs. Alpha is stopped by thin sheets, in fact the skin stops it mostly so it does not penetrate the body. Beta and gamma are best stopped by lead or concrete. Neutrons are more penetrating, they need to be stopped by hydrogenous material. Concrete is effective but needs to be thick. Water itself is a good neutron shield, as are heavy plastics and waxes. So radiation can travel through light materials and gases (and a vacuum), with the proviso about neutrons as above.
Would microwaves have a high or low penetrating ability relative to other em waves?
microwaves are more penetrative than gamma rays, UV radiation and visible light, but less so than radio waves.
Why neutron bomb is known as smart bomb?
It is not. A "smart" bomb is one with a guidance system that guides it directly to the target. A "Neutron" bomb is a specialized form of nuclear weapon that produces relatively little blast, but releases more immediate nuclear radiation than most other nuclear weapons
Which electromagnetic wave has the highest penetrating power?
ultra voilet rays are characterized with high penetrating power ============================= The EM radiation with the highest penetrating power would be the flavor with the highest frequency/shortest wavelength. Those are the waves we call "gamma rays". A moment's thought will remind you that X-rays are more penetrating than ultraviolet rays are ... otherwise we'd be getting dental ultraviolets instead of dental X-rays.
What particle has the highest penetrating ability?
Of the "basic" types of particulate radiation, the neutron has the highest penetrating ability. It is much more penetrating than the electron, positron, proton, or alpha particle.
Is Ultraviolet radiation more penetrating than x-radiation?
No.
What type of radiation from the nucleus is more penetrating than either alpha or beta particles?
Gamma radiation
What are the dangers of neutron radiation?
Neutron radiation is as dangerous as any other ionizing radiation, if not more dangerous,as by some sources, it can be as many as ten times more dangerous as other ionizing radiation. It is not directly ionizing radiation, since neutrons do not hold electric charge, but they interact (collide) with nuclei in it's path, creating isotopes, most of the time non-sable, radioactive isotopes. That is why neutron radiation induces a secondary radiation in the material it passes through. The penetration of neutron flux is rather strong, and is not affected by the shield density, as is the case with gamma radiation, but rather by a material rich with Hydrogen (deuterium) atoms, since H atoms contain one single proton/neutron, and the collision physics slow down the neutrons in this matter most efficiently. Therefore, heavy water, plexiglass, plastics and similar materials are used as an effective shield in neutron radiation protection.
What is a rotating neutron star that gives off radiation with every turn?
It is a neutron star. A pulsar is nothing more than a neutron star whose "beams" are detectable from Earth. Apart from that they are the same thing.
Why are gamma rays the most penetrating of all electromagnetic rays?
Because at their frequencies, each gamma ray photon has more energy than a photon of any other form of electromagnetic radiation.
What are the three kinds of nuclear radiation?
Nuclear radiation is radiation that is emitted by atomic nuclei in various nuclear processes ( fusion...). There are three types of nuclear radiation:- 1)Alpha----> the least penetrating of all, it can be stopped by a sheet of paper. 2)Beta----> more penertrating than alpha, less penetrating than gamma, can be stopped by an aluminum sheet. 3) Gamma-----> most penetrating, can be stopped by meters of concrete.
What materials can nuclear radiation travel through?
The heavier and denser the material the more radiation it absorbs. Alpha is stopped by thin sheets, in fact the skin stops it mostly so it does not penetrate the body. Beta and gamma are best stopped by lead or concrete. Neutrons are more penetrating, they need to be stopped by hydrogenous material. Concrete is effective but needs to be thick. Water itself is a good neutron shield, as are heavy plastics and waxes. So radiation can travel through light materials and gases (and a vacuum), with the proviso about neutrons as above.
Would microwaves have a high or low penetrating ability relative to other em waves?
microwaves are more penetrative than gamma rays, UV radiation and visible light, but less so than radio waves.
Why neutron bomb is known as smart bomb?
It is not. A "smart" bomb is one with a guidance system that guides it directly to the target. A "Neutron" bomb is a specialized form of nuclear weapon that produces relatively little blast, but releases more immediate nuclear radiation than most other nuclear weapons
What neutron star emit pulses of radiation called?
Pulsars and neutron stars emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation.
What type of radiation is only a hazard when inhaled or ingested?
Although there are many forms of "radiation" when assessing radiation hazards we usually think in terms of just three forms of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. Of these, alpha radiation is only a hazard if a source is inhaled or ingested - the other two are a hazard even without inhalation or ingestion. In general, external alpha radiation is not harmful since alpha particles are effectively shielded by a few centimeters of air, a piece of paper, or the thin layer of dead skin cells. On the other hand, if you inhale or ingest an alpha emitter, it can cause significant damage if the radiation is intense enough. Beta particles (electrons) are more penetrating, but still can be absorbed by a few millimeters of aluminum. Whatever harm beta radiation can cause, it doesn't have to be inhaled or ingested to do it. Gamma radiation is the most penetrating - that's the kind of radiation we usually think of using lead to shield us from. Again, gamma radiation is a hazard whether or not you inhale or ingest it.
