What is a suitable shielding material for beta radiation?

Aluminum is a suitable shielding material for beta radiation because of its effective interaction with these high-energy, light-weight particles. Beta radiation consists of electrons or positrons that can penetrate various materials, but their range in matter is limited. Aluminum, being a relatively low atomic number material, is efficient at stopping beta particles primarily through collision and ionization processes.

In practice, a thickness of just a few millimeters of aluminum can significantly reduce the intensity of beta radiation, making it an ideal choice for applications such as radiation therapy and radiation safety. It is also lightweight, which makes it more practical for certain applications compared to heavier materials.

While other materials like lead, concrete, and steel offer shielding benefits, they are more suitable for other types of radiation, such as gamma or x-rays. Lead, for instance, is very effective against gamma radiation but is not necessary for beta particles, which can be blocked by much lighter materials. Thus, aluminum provides an optimal balance of effectiveness and practicality for shielding against beta radiation.