What material is commonly used for effective radiation shielding against gamma rays?

Lead is commonly used for effective radiation shielding against gamma rays due to its high density and atomic number. Gamma rays are highly penetrating forms of radiation, and materials that are dense and have a high atomic number are more effective at attenuating their intensity. Lead’s density allows it to absorb significant amounts of energy from gamma rays, reducing the radiation exposure on the other side of the shield.

In contrast, other materials like cardboard, plastic, and wood do not possess the same level of density or atomic number needed to effective attenuate gamma radiation. These materials may provide minimal shielding against lower energy radiation, but they are inadequate for protecting against the penetrating power of gamma rays. Therefore, lead is the preferred choice in applications where effective shielding from gamma radiation is required.