#  Radiation and Radioactive Decay 

 



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### 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.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/bremsstrahlung-and-x-rays)\]

### 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.   
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/green-glass-candy-dish)\]

### α, β, γ, n Sources and Detection

\[S/M | t+ | ★★★\]  
Radioactive sources with Geiger counter or spark chamber detection.   
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/%CE%B1-%CE%B2-%CE%B3-n-sources-and-detection)\]

### α, β, γ Penetration and Shielding

\[M | t+ | ★★★\]  
Testing the effect of different materials in blocking radiation.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/%CE%B1-%CE%B2-%CE%B3-penetration-and-shielding)\]

### γ Ray Inverse Square Law

\[M | t++ | ★★★\]  
Testing of γ ray intensity with Geiger counter at various distances from γ source.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/%CE%B3-ray-inverse-square-law)\]

### β-Ray Deflection

\[M | t++ | ★★★\]  
Stream of β-particles pass between poles of magnet.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/%CE%B2-ray-deflection)\]

### Radon's Progeny Decay

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

\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/radons-progeny-decay)\]

### Radioactive Human Body

\[L | t++ | ★★★\]   
Detection of radioactive potassium; display on spectrum analyzer.   
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/radioactive-human-body)\]

### Thoron Decay

\[M | t+ | ★★★★\]  
α emission by thoron discharges gold leaf electroscope.   
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/thoron-decay)\]

### Neutron Activation of Silver

\[L | t+ | ★★★★\]  
Measurement of half lives of silver isotopes produced by thermal neutron irradiation.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/neutron-activation-silver)\]

### Cloud Chamber

\[M | t++ | ★★★\]  
Ionization tracks of alpha particles seen in alcohol vapor.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/cloud-chamber)\]

### Cosmic Ray Spark Chamber

\[M | t++ | ★★★\]  
Tracks of cosmic rays seen in spark chamber.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/cosmic-ray-spark-chamber)\]

### Uranium Block

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

\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/uranium-block)\]

### Nuclear Fission

\[L | t++ | ★★★★\]  
Array of mouse traps and ping-pong balls; chain reaction triggered by addition of rogue ping-pong ball.  
  
\[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/nuclear-fission)\]

### 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