Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Gamma Ray Penetration 
Name: Gayle
Status: student
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
If gamma rays can penetrate everything, then how can the atmosphere stop gamma and x-rays?


Replies:
You have started with a false assumption that "gamma rays can penetrate everything". That is not the case. True, they are very penetrating, but they do interact with matter, and their "tracks" can be observed.

Vince Calder

Gamma rays don't penetrate materials infinitely, they just penetrate a lot more deeply into materials (than, for example, alpha or beta particles) before they're absorbed.

Hope this helps,

Burr Zimmerman


Click here to return to the Physics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory