a reminder of that nuclear energy is no harmless affair

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

(Which unfortunately, makes me think of all those times I dumped radioactive waste into inhabited systems in Frontier: Elite 2...)

Maybe your dumping caused a mutation that evolved into a new life form?

It happens in movies :p

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Maybe your dumping caused a mutation that evolved into a new life form?

It happens in movies :p

Nah, the authorities probably scooped it up and put it back in storage, the same storage that payed me to take the stuff 10 minutes earlier...

BTW, Is D2O really a worse radiation shield than H2O?

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

BTW, Is D2O really a worse radiation shield than H2O?

Of course I have to give you the weasel answer. Depends on what you mean by radiation shield? I am assuming from this thread that we are speaking of atomic radiation. By shield do you mean blocking totally or moderating (slowing down)?

As for blocking:

Alpha particles and Beta are blocked very well by water. Gamma radiation not so well. X-ray not so well. Neutron particles (radiation) very well. I am not sure of any significant (another great weasel word) changes between H2O and D2O for these radiation types.


As for slowing down:

In reactors Neutron particles are slowed down by water and D2O does a "better" job than H2O in slowing down the neutrons so that more have a chance to cause fission.

[mrbeast]

Originally Posted by Platapus

You are correct. Alpha Radiation is the most toxic per amount and you are correct that it is blocked by pretty much anything as it is a particulate.

IIRC Alpha radiation can be blocked by a sheet of paper. Can't remember where I saw that though. :hmm:

[mrbeast]

Ahhhh here we are isn't the internet marvelous!

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by mrbeast

Ahhhh here we are isn't the internet marvelous!

Unfortunately ignorance radiates through all barriers. I would identify that as the greatest problem.