12/10/2016

Detection of
Radioactive Emission
1.
2.
3.
4.

1. Photographic Badge
Radioactivity was
discovered in 1896
Radioactive radiation
would expose or
darkened a
photographic film
even when the film
was wrapped up so
that the light could
not get in

Photographic Badge
Geiger-Muller tube
Cloud Chamber
Spark Counter

Nuclear industry workers wear film badges

The badges have windows made of
different materials that stop different types
of emission
The thin lead window stops &
rays will expose the film behind it.

The thin aluminium window will stop

particle
and will expose the film behind it

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The film at the topmost window is

exposed to all 3 radiations
By comparing the amount of exposure
on the film behind each window, the
amount of the radiation can be
determined

Children in Fukushima wear

radiation dosimeter which help
to monitor radiation exposure
on public health

Film badges are sent to the laboratory to

be developed like photographs each
month.
The exposure of each worker to the
various radiations can be determined

2. Geiger-Muller Tubes

work

using the ionising effect of

radioactivity.
best at detecting particles, because it
ionises strongly.
are available for detecting and
radiation.

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Argon
gas at
low
pressure

Anode
+450 V
GM tube

Cathode

Ratemeter

Thin central
wire

When a particle enters the tube, it pulls an e- from

an Argon atom (ionisation).
Electron is attracted to the central wire.
As it accelerates towards the wire, the electron
will knock other electrons from Argon atoms,
more ions are created.
Thus, one single incoming particle will cause
many electrons to arrive at the wire (discharged),
creating a pulse which can be amplified and
counted.

3. Cloud Chamber
To observe the track patterns of
radioactive radiations.
It may be rectangular or round

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Felt

Sponge
/Foam

Sponge
/Foam

To press the dry ice (solid CO2) to the

metal plate
Dry iceto ensure the bottom of
chamber is very cold while the top is
kept at room temperature

Felt

Felt

Sponge
/Foam

The low temperature at the bottom

causes vapour to be super-cooled
It readily condenses into liquid

The felt is soaked in the alcohol to

produce saturated vapour when
water & alcohol vaporise & diffused
to the bottom part of the chamber

Black
metal
plate

Sponge
/Foam

The black metal is coloured black so

that:
i. The track of the radioactive emission
produced can be seen clearly
ii. The incoming light rays will not be
reflected

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Felt

Black
metal
plate

Perspex cover

The track of the radioactive emission

produced it seen through the perspex
window

Radioactive rays from the source ionise

the atoms in the vapour

The black metal plate at the bottom of

the chamber helps to make these
tracks more visible

Sponge
/Foam

Initially the perspex cover is rubbed

with cloth & become negatively
charged
This will attract positive ions in the
chamber
The chamber now will be free of ions

The track of the radioactive emission

produced it seen through the perspex
window

Other nearby vapour atoms are

attracted to this ionised atoms &
condensed on them

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particle

Track
Thick

Explanation

ray

Track
Thin

Explanation
Weak ionising ability

Twisted Small mass makes

it easier to deflect

Explanation

Short

High ionising ability

Thin

Straight Large mass makes

it difficult to deflect

particle

Track

Extremely weak
ionising ability

Scattered

[2011 P2 SC Q12]
Other radioactive detectors:
Spark
counter

Electroscope

4. Spark Counter

If is
brought up
close to the
gauze it
will ionise
the air, &
sparks will
occur
between
the gauze
and wire.

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5. Electroscope

This consists of a fine metal gauze

mounted about a millimetre away
from a thin wire (Figure 1). A
voltage is applied between the two
so that sparking takes place
between them - this usually requires
some 4000 - 5000 V. The voltage is
then reduced until sparking just
stops.

An electroscope is charged, the gold leaf

sticks out, because the charges on the gold
repel the charges on the metal stalk.
When an source comes near, the air is
ionised
The +ve ions neutralise ve charge, the
electroscope discharges & the gold leaf falls.

The radioactive radiation detectable

by the following instruments:

Instrument
Radiation detected
Photographic graph
, ,
GM tube
, ,
, ,
Cloud chamber
Spark counter

Electroscope