ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Stopping power (particle radiation)

Stopping power is like playing a game of dodgeball, but instead of throwing balls, we're throwing tiny little things called particles. These particles are really small and they buzz around really fast. When we throw them at something, like a wall, they can either bounce off or they can stick to it.

But here's the thing - when these particles hit something, they can cause damage. Just like in dodgeball, it hurts when we get hit with a ball. The same thing happens when these tiny particles hit something, like our bodies.

This is why we need to know about stopping power - it's like a shield that helps protect us from these tiny particles. We want to be able to control how much damage they can cause to us. This is important because if we don't protect ourselves, we could get sick or even die.

Scientists study stopping power so they can find ways to keep us safe from these tiny particles. They also use this information to develop new technologies, like radiation therapy for cancer. Understanding stopping power is like having a superpower that helps us stay healthy and safe!