Radioactivity of Dust - Radon


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 Code Number :   7D10.25

Disclaimer:

Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website.

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Condition :   Excellent  
Principle :   Natural Radioactivity
Area of Study :  Modern Physics   
Equipment :   Balloons, Cats Fur, Nucleus Counter,
Procedure :   Blow up the balloon and rub it with the Cat's fur so that it has an electrostatic charge.  Let is set in the room for at least an hour, but over night would probably be better.  Pop the balloon and place it in the counter.  You should be able to get counts that are about 3 to 4 times background.  NOTE:  If the balloon is placed in the sub-basement for several hours you should be able to increase the total count.
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   References

Trevor M Willey and Jill A. Marshall,  "Radioactive Balloon Measurements in Utah", TPT, Vol. 35, # 8, Nov. 1997, p. 478. 

Carson A. Riland, "Environmental Radioactivity, Temperature, and Precipitation", TPT, Vol. 34, # 4, Apr. 1996, p. 234.

Thomas A. Walkiewicz, "The Hot Balloon (Not Air)", TPT, Vol. 33, # 6, Sept. 1995, p. 344.

Gordon Aubrecht, "Radioactivity as a Function of Speed", TPT, Vol. 31, # 5, May 1993, p. 260.

James Cowie Jr. and Thomas A. Walkiewicz, "Radioactiveball,"  TPT, Vol. 30, # 1, p.  16, (January 1992).

Clifford Bettis and Carl Throckmorton, "What Teachers Should Know About Radon", TPT, Vol. 29, # 6, June 1991, p. 273.

Patton H. McGinley, "Half-Live of Dust", TPT, Vol. 6, # 6, Sept. 1968, p. 323.

 

H. A. Smith, Jr., T. E. Ward, and J. Wesick, "Laboratory Study of the Radioactivity from Fission Products in Microscopic Fallout Particles", AJP, Vol. 46, (3), Mar. 1978, p. 279.

 

S-252: "Accumulating Radon on Balloon", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille