Cheapest nuclear radiation detector - Ion chamber

Ion chamber - the simplest and cheapest ($4) nuclear radiation detector. It is not very accurate or sensitive device but it works.
You can build it for the experiment or just for fun.
Good device for enthusiasts who love to learn something about ionization radiation.
I hope you have fun in the building and use of this detector.

Credits to Charles Wenzel and his site Techlib.com from which I have used the schematic for this ion chamber.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Radioactivity
• Radioactive
• isotope
• calibration
• Nuclear
• Radiation
• Bremsstrahlung
• radionuclide
• ionization
• geiger
• scintillator
• scintillation
• chamber

[MercFanatiC43]

Hello: Today i did an experiment in my physics class about radioactive isotopes, we tested cobalt-60 and Strontium-90. We got readings for Sr-90 of 176 counts without protectionand 76 with lead protection. What im asking in regards to this is the possibily of getting cancer or perhaps something else in my body, im a little worried that this exposure is dangerous for my health in the long run. is there a possibility of me getting cancer?

[crnazvijezda]

@MercFanatiC43 Ionizing radiation destroys cells in human body! More destroyed cells give you more chances to get a cancer. Lower dose may cause cancer or other long-term problems.

[crnazvijezda]

Isotopes of Cobalt and Strontium are not good choice for class experiment for peoples who are not familiar with advantages and disadvantages of ionizing radiations. Sorry I have to say this but person who teaches you about physics and doesn't explain you how dangerous is this experiment shouldn't have access to any kind of radioactive material. The best isotope for this kind of experiment are Polonium-210. Polonium is pure Alpha emitter and there is many good and interesting exper.

[crnazvijezda]

You told that you got 176 counts (I guess per minute or 176*60 CPS) of Sr-90 it is not big activity but is not harmless.

Do not be afraid about this one time exposure, but learn more about this subject to avoid posibility of negative effect.

[magicstix0r]

I think I saw MacGuyver build this once...

[crnazvijezda]

@magicstix0r I didn't saw MacGuyver's ion chamber but there is alot of versions of ion chamber on YouTube and the Internet.

All credits to Charles Wenzel and his site Techlib.com from which I have used the schematic for this ion chamber.

[Kocynhe]

@MercFanatiC43 ...Do you have Mr. Tekverk...

[Ilovelazers]

nice

[DJKatStylez]

like for use of non invasive, classical music.