Radioactivity Experiments

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Radioactivity Experiments

Aim:

To determine the penetrating power and the range in air of the three

radioactive emissions alpha, beta and gamma.

Apparatus:

* gm tube,

* clamp stand,

* the counter thing,

* ruler,

* set-square

Method of penetrating power of Alpha particles, Beta particles & Gamma

Rays:

The equipment was set up as shown below to measure the penetrating

power of each radioactive source.

Geiger-Muller Tube

Again the measurements were taken without the absorber to measure

background radiation. The source was placed quite close to the

counter (1cm) and the thickness of the absorber was increased each

measurement.

Experimental precautions:

The distance between the tube and the source was kept constant

The material used in each experiment was kept constant.

Safety precautions were the same as the previous method but the

absorber was changed using a stand and tweezers.

Method for range in air of Alpha particles, Beta particles & Gamma

rays:

The apparatus were set up as in the diagram below to measure the range

in air up to 50 cm for each source.

Before the experiment took place we measured the background radiation

in one minute. We found out the background radiation count per minute

was 21.unts

* We started the experiment by making sure the radioactive source

was aligned with a ruler to the GM tube as accurately as possible

so that the maximum radiation is measured

* A set square was used to measure the exact point at which the

source and tube were placed

* The counter was reset each time so the counter read zero so this

would reduce zero error in the experiment and the hold button was

pressed to freeze the measurement

* Thirty seconds were left between the start of the count and the

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