Demonstrations

Cloud Chamber

Code Number :	7D30.60
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Excellent
Principle :	Observing Radioactive Decay Particles
Area of Study :	Modern Physics
Equipment :	Cloud chamber, Dry ice for cloud chamber, Radioactive source for cloud chamber, Ethyl Alcohol, Camera and power supply.
Procedure :	The chamber should be set up as described in the manual in the file. Care should be taken to insure that the black plate in the chamber is level . The chamber is attached to a leveling stand with Velcro so that this may be done. Turn the fluorescent light on as soon as possible or the ballast may get to cold to activate. Place the camera as shown over the glass window in the top plate. Close-up lenses are not needed if you use the macro part of the lens on the camera. The ion trails should appear in 5 to 15 minutes after the final step of activation and last for several hours.

Web Sites

"Cloud Chamber/Cosmic Ray Detector," Brian Carusella, http://bizarrelabs.com

References

Jason Cassidy, "Video Analysis of Cloud Chamber Phenomena", TPT, Vol. 32, # 2, Feb. 1994, p. 124.

A. C. Anderson, "Nature's Cloud Chamber", TPT, Vol. 13, # 7, Oct. 1975, p. 424.

Jared A. Ketner, "An Inexpensive Diffusion Cloud Chamber", TPT, Vol. 3, # 6, Sept. 1965, p. 284.

Elmer L. Galley, "An Inexpensive Continuous Cloud Chamber", TPT, Vol. 1, # 2, May 1963, p. 80.

Haym Kruglak and Don Kangas, "A Simple Cloud Chamber for Television Display," Am. J. Phys., Vol. 54, No. 5, May 1986.

Roger H. Stuewer, "The Naming of the Deuteron," Am. J. Phys., Vol. 54, No. 3, (March 1986).

Hl-12: Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.

S-140: "Cloud Chamber," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

Juan G. Roederer, "Early Cosmic Ray Research in Argentina," Physics Today, Jan. 2003, pg. 32

C.L. Stong, "How to Fit a Diffusion Cloud-Chamber with a Magnet and Other Accessories," The Amateur Scientist, June, 1959.

C.L. Stong, "More about Making a Cloud Chamber to Reveal the Paths of Nuclear Particles," The Amateur Scientist, April, 1956.

Robert L. Wild, "Continuously Acting Cloud Chamber", Low-Cost Physics Demonstrations, # 179, p 79 & 99.

Joey Green, "Cosmic Ray Detector", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 1, p. 13.

Tom Petruzzellis, "Fun With a Cloud Chamber," Electronic Sensors for the Evil Genius, p. 248.

"Emission Characteristics of Alpha Particles", Selective Experiments in Physics, CENCO, 1962.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille