Alpha, beta, gamma penetration and a Geiger counter
Place a source and absorbers of paper, aluminium and lead in front of a Geiger–Müller counter: α stopped by paper, β by aluminium, γ needs lead (I = I₀e^(−μx)); the inverse square law and background count.
About this experiment
| Subject | Physics |
|---|---|
| Class | 12 |
| Chapter | 13. Nuclei |
| NCERT section | 13.4 |
| Level | NCERT level |
| Time | about 12 minutes |
| Access | Included in a PractiSci plan |
What you do in the lab
Change the controls and watch the physics behave in real time in 3D. Live readouts and graphs show the numbers behind it, and the Learn tab has the theory, procedure, observations and viva questions. Works on a phone or a laptop, in English and Hindi.
Topics: Geiger counter · alpha beta gamma · penetration · absorption · half thickness · radioactivity