Question

The diagram given below is showing a radioactive source R in a thick walled container having a narrow opening: The radiations pass through an electric field between the plates C and D.

What is the reason for keeping the source R in a thick lead walled container with a narrow opening?

Answer 1

Reasons for keeping the source R in a thick lead walled container with a narrow opening are:

1. The radiations that emerge from radioactive source can cause biological damage. So, these radiations are to be kept away from contamination.
2. There is a narrow opening in the container in order to prevent the emerging radiation from coming from various directions.
3. The container is a thick lead walled container. because lead is a dense material and it is cheap and abundant. Also it is not harmful when we come in contact with it.