Question

Radon-222 Iron-59 Strontium-85 Alpha (a) Beta (6) Gamma (y) Phosphorous- emitter emitter emitter 32 (?) emitter Counts Per Counts Per Counts Per Counts Per Second (CPS) Second (CPS) P Second (CPS) Second (CPS) No shielding 280 80 40 Paper 480 200 Cardboard (1 mm) 30 40 Aluminum (1 mm) Lead Which material provides the best shielding against alpha particles? Against beta particles? Against Gamma rays? Based on the data you collected, would you say that Phosphorous-32 is an alpha, beta, or gamma emitter? Explain your answer. Part 2: Effect of Shielding Thickness A A 20.30

Answer 1

Materials that provide better shielding

against alpha particles: paper, cardboard, aluminium and lead

against beta particles: lead

against gamma particles: lead

Overall lead is material for shielding against alpha, beta and gamma particles.

From given data, phosphorous 32 is a beta particle emitter. Because against beta emission lead provides better shielding with detection of no counts (0 CPS). Same observed in case phosphorous 32 when lead used as shielding material with no detection of beta counts (0 CPS). This similarity inmplies that P32 is beta emitter.