Why Is Lead Used as a Radiation Shield?

💡 The Answer

• Lead has a high atomic number (82) and density, which efficiently absorbs gamma rays and X-rays.
• Photoelectric effect and Compton scattering dominate the attenuation process in lead.
• A few centimeters of lead can reduce gamma radiation intensity by many orders of magnitude.
• Lead is also relatively inexpensive and easily molded into shielding shapes.