Beta particle interaction with matter

[nilic1]

A beta particle consists of a fast moving electron emitted from the nucleus of an atom. Beta particles can pass through the palm of a human hand.

My question is .. Being a particle how can it pass through the palm of a hand? I still haven't done quantum Physics but I suspect that it has something to do with it.

 

[voko]

What would prevent a beta particle from passing through the palm of a hand?

 

[nilic1]

What would prevent a beta particle from passing through the palm of a hand?

my reasoning is that waves can make it through somehow ... but particles are stopped after colliding with other particles.

 

[HallsofIvy]

A beta particle consists of a fast moving electron emitted from the nucleus of an atom. Beta particles can pass through the palm of a human hand.

My question is .. Being a particle how can it pass through the palm of a hand? I still haven't done quantum Physics but I suspect that it has something to do with it.

Your hand is made of molecules that are made of atoms. And atoms are very small nuclei with a sparse cloud of electrons around it. Almost all of an atom, and so almost all of your hand is empty space.