Radiation

[chomp my root]

5 hours ago, John Lambies Doos said:

5 hours ago, Helpma said:

Yes.  As someone said earlier, if you wanted to shield yourself from them, a piece of paper will stop alpha particles.  Or put yourself a foot away from the source.  The ionisation of the air happens because the gas molecules are colliding with the alpha particles and stopping them in their tracks.  They're big and slow and easily stopped.  A bit like me, really.

Last question; how can you be a foot away if you are actually unscrewing the detector?

I assume you're not a thalidomide  ?

2 hours ago, tamthebam said:

have your eyes started emitting alpha particles like this chap's

because then you can see through solid objects, like the wall at Pacific Quay separating the outside world from the lady weather presenters' dressing rooms. Quite a handy power..

Or to keep it more culturally accurate, Middenface McNulty.