Detection of Radioactivity (Cambridge O Level Physics)

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Detection of Radioactivity

  • Ionising nuclear radiation is measured using a detector connected to a counter

Detection of Alpha Particles

  • α-particles are detected using a cloud chamber or spark counter

Cloud Chambers

  • There are several different types of cloud chambers
  • A cloud chamber contains:
    • A metal plate on the bottom, cooled using dry ice
    • A transparent viewing film at the top with a light source at one side, allowing the observer to identify what is happening
    • A thin film of alcohol evaporated inside the chamber forming a vapour
    • A radioactive source placed in the chamber
    • A magnetic field at right angles to the chamber

A Simple Cloud Chamber Set-Up

5-2-1-cloud-chamber

A cloud chamber contains vapour obtained from the cooling of alcohol using dry ice

  • When charged particles pass through the cloud chamber:
    • They collide with gas molecules
    • Creating ions as the alcohol condenses 
    • Forming a path of condensation within the chamber
  • α-particles can be identified because they produce thick short tracks and curl slowly in one direction

An Alpha Particle Path in a Cloud Chamber

5-2-1-alpha-particle-tracks-in-a-cloud-chamber

Alpha particles can be identified by their short thick tracks that bend slightly in one direction

 

 Spark Counters

  • A spark counter consists of a thin metal gauze mounted very close (about a mmm) to a thin wire
  • A large voltage (around 5000 V) is applied across the gauze and the wire to cause sparking between them
  • The voltage is then reduced until no more sparking occurs
  • When an alpha radiation source is brought close to the gauze it will ionise the air around it
    • Creating sparks between the gauze and the wire

A Spark Counter Set-Up

5-2-1-spark-counter

A spark counter contains a high voltage placed between a gauze and a wire to create sparking

 

Count Rate

  • The count rate is the number of decays per second recorded by a detector and recorded by the counter
    • It is measured in counts/s or counts/min
  • The count rate decreases the further the detector is from the source
    • This is because the radiation becomes more spread out the further away it is from the source

Detection of Beta Particles and Gamma Radiation

  • The Geiger-Müller tube is the most common device used to measure and detect β-particles and γ-radiation
  • Each time it absorbs radiation it transmits an electrical pulse to a counting machine called a counter 
    • This makes a clicking sound or displays the count rate on a screen
  • The greater the frequency of clicks heard, or the higher the count rate seen, the more radiation the Geiger-Müller tube is absorbing
    • Therefore, it matters how close the tube is to the radiation source
    • The further away from the source, the lower the count rate detected

A Geiger-Müller Counter

Geiger-Counter, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

A Geiger-Müller tube (or Geiger counter) is a common type of radiation detector

Worked example

A Geiger-Müller tube is used to detect radiation in a particular location. If it counts 16,000 decays in 1 hour, what is the count rate?

 

Answer: 

Step 1: Identify the different variables

  • The number of decays is 16 000
  • The time is 1 hour

Step 2: Determine the time period in seconds

  • 1 hour is equal to 60 minutes, and 1 minute is equal to 60 seconds

Time period = 1 × 60 × 60 = 3600 seconds

Step 3: Divide the total counts by the time period in seconds

Counts ÷ Time period = 16 000 ÷ 3600 = 4.5

  • Therefore, there are 4.5 decays per second

Examiner Tip

If asked to name a device for detecting radiation, the Geiger-Müller tube is a good example to give. You can also refer to it as a GM tube, a GM detector, GM counter, Geiger counter etc. (The examiners will allow some level of misspelling, providing it is readable). Don’t, however, refer to it as a ‘radiation detector’ as this is too vague and may simply restate what was asked for in the question.

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Ann H

Author: Ann H

Expertise: Physics

Ann obtained her Maths and Physics degree from the University of Bath before completing her PGCE in Science and Maths teaching. She spent ten years teaching Maths and Physics to wonderful students from all around the world whilst living in China, Ethiopia and Nepal. Now based in beautiful Devon she is thrilled to be creating awesome Physics resources to make Physics more accessible and understandable for all students no matter their schooling or background.