MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: Does thick glass block damaging radiation?

Date: Fri Nov 23 15:03:15 2001
Posted By: Michael Baker, Technical Staff Member
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1004161006.Ph
Message:


Glass is really not a very good shield for most types of radiation.  
However, glass does block some forms of UVB radiation.  These are the 
"rays" responsible for sunburns.  This is why one doesn't get a sunburn 
through your car window.  Also, many different coatings can be added to 
glass or plastic to also block the UVA radiation.

There are some forms of leaded glass used for nuclear shielding 
applicaitons.  Leaded glass has a density approximately three times that of 
more common glass, such as pyrex.  The ability to shield one from 
radiation, such as gamma and x-rays, increases as the electron density in 
the material increases.  So material density and atomic number "Z" are 
important material parameters.  Leaded glass not only has a higher denisity 
but is composed of higher "Z" materials leading to a much higher electron 
density.

To look up and compare the shielding one gets from various materials for 
x-rays try the following web site:
 http://physics.nist.gov/PhysRefData/XrayMassCoef/cover.html




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