Problem: Ionizing radiation strikes molecules in its path and knocks away the electrons in molecules, forming unstable ions such as H2O + , which causes undesirable chemical reactions inside the human body. This damages the cells most sensitive to radiation, rapidly dividing cells in bone marrow, skin, and reproductive organs, thus causing cancer. Radiation technologists wear protection from this radiation, when nuclear scans and medicine are used to diagnose a variety of medical conditions. (Pearson, 2013). Different types of radiation can travel different distances in the air, and can penetrate different types of material, including the human body. In this experiment, you will be observing the radiation that is emitted from three different radiation sources- Plutonium- 239 (an alpha emitter), Strontium- 90 ( a beta emitter), and Radium 226 (a gamma emitter). In Part 1, you will be observing their range in air. A Geiger counter is used to measure the amount of radiation from each source, as they are slowly moved away from the detector. In Part 2, you will be observing the effects of shielding on the different types of radiation. A Geiger counter will again be used to detect the amount of radiation that can be picked up