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ID Code: P4-01
Purpose: Demonstrates radioactivity, the Geiger counter, and some differences between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
Description: Three sources are provided: a Po-210 source, mainly ~5 MeV alphas; Tl-204 and Sr-90 sources, producing a number of electron energies around 1-2 MeV; and a chunk of natural uranium ore with a large number of low-energy gamma rays. In addition, Cs-137 (0.662 MeV) and Co-60 (1.1 and 1.3 MeV) gamma-ray sources are available. The alpha particles have a range in air of about 2 or 3 cm; you must place the source close to the Geiger tube to observe the alphas. Inserting a piece of paper in the alpha beam stops them! The betas have a longer range in air, and are mostly unaffected by passing through a piece of paper. A thin lead sheet stops the betas, but some counting remains due to the presence of a some gammas in the beta source. The gammas are unaffected by the paper or the thin lead sheet, but can be stopped by a lead brick
Availability: Available