Lesson: Detecting and Blocking Different Types of Radiation Physics

In this lesson, we will learn how to detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation and what materials are effective at stopping different types of radiation.

Lesson Plan

Students will be able to

recall that a Geiger counter is a device that can be used to measure the level of radiation in an area,
recall that the number of radioactive decays per second is measured in becquerels (Bq),
recall that ionization is the process of an atom gaining or losing electrons,
recall what thicknesses of some common materials will block alpha, beta, and gamma radiation,
recall the approximate range of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in air,
recall what materials are best for safely storing radioactive materials,
recall the relative electric charge of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.