Here's why:
* High Density: Lead has a very high density, which means it effectively absorbs gamma radiation, a common type of radiation emitted by radioactive materials.
* Readily Available and Affordable: Lead is relatively inexpensive and readily available, making it a practical choice for shielding.
* Easy to Shape: Lead can be easily molded and formed into different shapes to create custom shielding containers.
While lead is the most common, other materials are sometimes used depending on the type and energy of the radiation being shielded:
* Steel: Provides some shielding for lower energy radiation.
* Concrete: Used for large-scale shielding in facilities that store or handle significant quantities of radioactive material.
* Tungsten: Offers even better shielding than lead but is much more expensive.
The specific material chosen for lining a box storing radioactive samples depends on factors like the type of radioactive material, its activity level, and the specific radiation energies involved.
