Why is it that high frequency signals don’t pass through walls easily but you need a block of lead to block the radiation (for Gamma)?

Question

Why is it that high frequency signals don’t pass through walls easily but you need a block of lead to block the radiation (for Gamma)?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Low frequencies go through individual atoms because the waves are really big, and each atom doesn’t see the whole wave so it doesn’t know to reflect it. They *can* be reflected, but mostly only by conductive materials that allow the electrons to move large distances to affect the wave.

Medium frequencies bounce off the atoms and get reflected.

High frequencies go through the gaps between the atoms.