Which of the following items will provide minimum shielding from gamma radiation?

The option indicating several inches of lead is the correct choice because lead is a dense material that has a high atomic number, making it particularly effective at attenuating gamma radiation. Gamma rays have high energy and can penetrate materials more easily than alpha or beta particles. Because of this penetrating power, it requires a substantial amount of dense material to effectively reduce the intensity of gamma radiation. Lead's density and atomic structure allow it to absorb photon energy effectively, thus providing substantial shielding.

In contrast, wood and plastic do not offer the same level of protection due to their lower density and atomic number. These materials might attenuate lower-energy radiation but are ineffective against gamma rays. Similarly, glass containers also lack the density required for effective shielding from gamma radiation. Thin sheets of aluminum offer minimal protection because they are not dense enough to significantly reduce gamma radiation's intensity, making them insufficient for safety purposes when handling such radiation.