Radiation and Radioactive Decay

Bremsstrahlung and X-Rays

[M | t+ | ★★★]
X-rays are given off by the stopping of electrons in the Maltese Cross CRT; a glass plate in front of detector shows they are "soft" x-rays.

[In-Depth Description]

Green Glass Candy Dish

[M | t+ | ★★]
This radioactive uranium glass glows beautifully when illuminated by a UV lamp; use as a prop for Becquerel's discovery.

[In-Depth Description]

α, β, γ, n Sources and Detection

[S/M | t+ | ★★★]
Radioactive sources with Geiger counter or spark chamber detection.

[In-Depth Description]

α, β, γ Penetration and Shielding

[M | t+ | ★★★]
Testing the effect of different materials in blocking radiation.

[In-Depth Description]

γ Ray Inverse Square Law

[M | t++ | ★★★]
Testing of γ ray intensity with Geiger counter at various distances from γ source.

[In-Depth Description]

β-Ray Deflection

[M | t++ | ★★★]
Stream of β-particles pass between poles of magnet.

[In-Depth Description]

Radon's Progeny Decay

[M | t+ | ★★★★]
Observe the decay of airborne radionuclides with a Geiger counter and computer.

[In-Depth Description]

Radioactive Human Body

[L | t++ | ★★★]
Detection of radioactive potassium; display on spectrum analyzer.

[In-Depth Description]

Thoron Decay

[M | t+ | ★★★★]
α emission by thoron discharges gold leaf electroscope.

[In-Depth Description]

Neutron Activation of Silver

[L | t+ | ★★★★]
Measurement of half lives of silver isotopes produced by thermal neutron irradiation.

[In-Depth Description]

Cloud Chamber

[M | t++ | ★★★]
Ionization tracks of alpha particles seen in alcohol vapor.

[In-Depth Description]

Cosmic Ray Spark Chamber

[M | t++ | ★★★]
Tracks of cosmic rays seen in spark chamber.

[In-Depth Description]

Uranium Block

[S | t | ★★★★]
238U-Radium series Remains of WWII German Atomic Bomb Project.

[In-Depth Description]

Nuclear Fission

[L | t++ | ★★★★]
Array of mouse traps and ping-pong balls; chain reaction triggered by addition of rogue ping-pong ball.

[In-Depth Description]

Contact Us

Mailing Address: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos-at-fas.harvard.edu