Nuclear Radiation
...h of the sources, what would you make them out of? For alpha particles, i would construct the containers out of cardboard or thin plastic. For beta particles, i would construct the containers out of 5mm thick Aluminium casing. For gamma particles, i would construct the containers out of 7cm of lead. 6. Why should we take 3 readings and then the average for this experiment? We should take 3 readings and then the average because each reading will most likely be different each time due to the effects of background radiation on the Geiger Muller tube. Conclusion: Describe the physical characteristics of each material. Is there a relationship between particle size and penetration power? Explain. Alpha radiation is a heavy, very short range particle, and actually an ejected helium nucleus. Some characteristics of alpha radiation are: 1) Alpha radiation is not able to penetrate human skin. 2) Alpha emitting materials can be harmful to humans if the materials are inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through open wounds. 3) A variety of instruments have been designed to measure alpha radiation. Special training in the use of these instruments is essential for making accurate measurements. 4) A thin window Geiger-Muller probe can detect the presence of alpha radiation. 5) Instruments cannot detect alpha radiation through even a thin layer of water, dust, paper, or other material, because alpha radiation is not penetrating. 6) Alpha radiation travels only a short distance (a few centimetres) in air, but is not an external hazard. 7) Alpha radiation is not able to penetrate clothing. 8) Examples of some alpha emitters: radium, radon, uranium, thorium. Beta radiation is a light, short range particle, and actually an ejected electron. Some characteristics of beta radiation are: 1) Beta radiation may travel several feet in air and is moderately penetrating. 2) Beta radiation can penetrate human skin to the "germinal layer," where new skin cells are produced. If high levels of beta emitting contaminants are allowed to remain on the skin for a prolonged period of time, they may cause skin injury 3) Beta emitting contaminants may be harmful if deposited internally. 4) Clothing provides some protection against beta radiation. Examples of some pure beta emitters: strontium-90, carbon-14, tritium, and sulfur-35. Gamma radiation or x rays are very long range, penetrating electromagnetic radiation. Some characteristics of gamma radiation are: 1) Gamma radiation or x rays are able to travel many feet in air, and many inches in human tissue. It readily penetrates most materials, and is sometimes called "penetrating" radiation. 2) X rays are like gamma rays. X rays, too, are penetrating radiation. Sealed radioactive sources and machines that emit gamma radiation and x rays respectively constitute mainly an external hazard to humans. 3) Gamma radiation and x rays are electromagnetic radiation like visible light, radiowaves, and ultraviolet light. These electromagnetic radiations differ only in the amoun...