Beta radiation is MOST commonly blocked by which material?

Beta radiation consists of high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of unstable nuclei. To effectively block beta radiation, the material used needs to have certain properties that allow it to absorb or deflect these particles without risking secondary radiation.

Glass or plastic is particularly suitable for this task because they have a low atomic number and can provide sufficient mass to absorb the beta particles. The electrons in beta radiation can interact with the electrons in the material, leading to ionization and energy loss for the beta particles, effectively stopping them. The thickness of the glass or plastic needed can vary depending on the energy of the beta particles, but generally, a few millimeters can significantly reduce beta radiation exposure.

In contrast, materials such as lead are more effective at blocking gamma radiation due to their high density and atomic number, but they are not as useful for beta particles. Copper, while a good conductor of electricity, does not provide the best performance against beta radiation compared to glass or plastic. Rubber generally does not have the mass or the right atomic interactions to effectively shield against beta particles.

This context helps clarify why glass or plastic is the most commonly employed material for beta radiation shielding, especially in situations like laboratories or medical applications where beta radiation might be encountered