Lightning bolts have been recorded triggering nuclear reactions in the skies above Japan, causing radiation and antimatter to rain down upon the Earth.

In principle, a reaction can involve more than two particles colliding, but because the probability of three or more nuclei to meet at the same time at the same place is much less than for two nuclei, such an event is exceptionally rare (see triple alpha process for an example very close to a three-body nuclear …

A typical nuclear reaction involves two reacting particles—a heavy target nucleus and a light bombarding particle—and produces two new particles—a heavier product nucleus and a lighter ejected particle.

For alpha radiation and beta radiation, water is an excellent shield and you need a thin sheet. Neutron radiation is a bit more hard, you need thick layers to stop it all, but water is one of the best materials to do that.

McCallum told New Scientist that solid and liquid human waste products would get put into bags and used as a radiation shield – as well as being dehydrated so that any water can be recycled for drinking. “Those solid waste products get put into a bag, put right back against the wall.”

Gamma rays travel like any other electromagnetic waves – cutting a fairly straight line through world. They can move through a vacuum, or through air or water. They can also cut through light elements like aluminum or most metals.

Shielding: As ionizing radiation passes through matter, the intensity of the radiation is diminished. Shielding is the placement of an “absorber” between you and the radiation source. Alpha, beta, or gamma radiation can all be stopped by different thicknesses of absorbers.

Try high-protein foods that may taste better cold or at room temperature. Examples include cheese or cottage cheese plates; macaroni salads with shrimp, ham or cheese; tuna, egg, ham or chicken salad; cold meat or luncheon meat sandwiches; or cold salmon.