Peak Radioactivity of Cs-137 and Co-60



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 Code Number :   7D10.63?

Disclaimer:

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

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Condition :   Good  
Principle :   Peak Energy of Radioactive Decay Particles   
Area of Study :  Modern Physics  
Equipment :   Multi-channel analyzer, Radioactive sample disks, Photo multiplier tube, Nucleus scalar, High voltage power supply if needed.
Procedure :   Get the multichannel analyzer along with one of the photo multiplier tubes from intermediate lab. One of the analyzers has a built in high voltage supply and one does not so bring the external high voltage supply if needed. Set the system up as shown and put a sample disc under the photo multiplier tube. Voltage of the tube should be whatever makes the tube run smoothly. This varies with each tube but is usually from 700 to 1000 volts. The time is usually set at .5 or .2 minutes depending on the size of the peak you want to see and the energy of the sample. When thing are working normally the Cs-137 will have one sharp peak to the left side of the screen and Co-60 will have 2 less energetic peaks that appear toward the right hand side of the screen. Plenty of setup time should be allowed for this so that you can become familiar with the control changes that have to be made with the Counts Full Scale, Gain, and Live Time - Minutes controls.  
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   References

Mark P. Silverman, Wayne Strange, Chris R. Silverman, and Trevor C. Lipscombe,  "On the Run: Unexpected Outcomes of Random Events,"  TPT, Vol. 37, # 4, p. 218, (April 1999).

Robert A. Cohen, "Let's Make a Deal - #1", TPT, Vol. 37, # 6, Sept. 1999, p. 328.

Daniel J. Sukle, "Let's Make a Deal - #2", TPT, Vol. 37, # 6, Sept. 1999, p. 328.

Jacob Futterman, "Let's Make a Deal - #3", TPT, Vol. 37, # 6, Sept. 1999, p. 328.

Frederick C. Wagner and Terrence P. Toepker, "Are You Being Radiated?", TPT, Vol. 18, # 9, Dec. 1980, p. 665.

 



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille