[barend]

If you really want to impress them, you'll have to invent/discover...

delta radiation

instantly killing your class but gaining you an AAA+++

This post has been edited by barend: 09 September 2004 - 09:23 PM

[SimeSublime]

I did a course on Nuclear Physics last year. This page seems to be saved in my favourites from when I was doing the assignment.

http://hyperphysics....ructcon.html#c1

I remember it was quite good, but then again that was for a uni project, so It may not be all that great for you. Geiger-Muller counters aren't exactly the best way of measuring ratiation. Well, they may be the best way, but theres a few problems with them that you should take into account. The tubes have a "paralytic time' of about 50-200 microseconds, meaning that after counting a disintergration, the tube cannot register a second one until the paralytic time is up. Hence, high radiation sources aren't going to measure correctly. Also take into account that alpha particles only travel a few centimetres in air, and as such a lot of readings may not actually reach your counter. Also, beta particles traveling away from the detector can bounce back and register extra counts(this is called back-scattering). Another important thing to note is that radioactive decay by definition is random. As such, you will need to conduct a statistical analysis to check that fluctuations are in fact random. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, though the internet isn't the best medium for quick responses.

Edit: You can guess who handed in a lab report yesterday on Geiger-Muller Counters

This post has been edited by SimeSublime: 10 September 2004 - 10:16 AM

[Chyld]

Erm, lets think, radiation...

Like Girdag said, there's three kinds:

Alpha: Basically just the nucleuses of carbon atoms, is usually stopped by paper, or your skin.

Beta: Electrons floating around in some special manner. Stopped by something that's thicker than paper and thinner than lead.

Gamma: I believe its a kind of electromagnetic wave, the fatherest purple end of the light spectrum. Nasty dangerous evil one, only really stopped by metres of lead.

Its all nasty and gives you cancer. It also works smoke alarms, and alpha bounces off of smoke!

Two years of Science lessons, and all I can regurgitate has probably already been said much better...

[jyd]

amber 2.2 spacing makes a world of difference and is almost impossible to detect, also beefing the margins a wee bit won't hurt anyone

[SimeSublime]

Alpha: Basically just the nucleuses of carbon atoms, is usually stopped by paper, or your skin.

Helium atoms! Alpha particles are a helium-4 nucleus, namely two protons and two neutrons.

Beta particles can usually be stopped by a sheet of paper. As a side note, you can also get positive beta particles(positrons).

[barend]

and time travel converts tachions into tardions!!!

[SimeSublime]

Urg, where was that from? I feel It's a quote I should know.

[Amber-Nicole]

Research report progress is temporarily on hold. Because I have the flu. :angry:
Going back to bed now.

[barend]

I read it in a science book, that explored concepts spawned in sci-fi

[Gleffnork]

If you want to win the Nobel prize, then figure out a way to accurately predict the quantitiy of friction produced by two objects!!

Shall you succeed, I think not!!!!