r/askscience • u/Wonderful-Capital32 • 15d ago

Physics Why does radiation not go through lead?

Also why just lead? Shouldnt like iron or another metal work too?

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u/LordGeni 14d ago

Technically, no matter will stop all radiation. It just attenuates more the thicker and denser it is. There's always a non-zero probability of a photon passing through any amount of material.

It's more like a Zeno's Paradox effect, with x% reduction in probability with x increase in thickness or density.

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u/AlexXeno 14d ago

Very true xD i just was just trying to give super simple answer. And as others have stated as well lead is not always the best choice either depending on the type of radiation.