Modern Physics

Demonstration: Radioactivity

Click the picture to watch the movie

Equipment
  • Geiger counter
  • Various radioactive sources
  • Various absorbers
Description

The common particles emitted in radioactive decay, namely, alpha, beta, and gamma are briefly described. The detection of radiation by a Geiger counter is briefly described and demonstrated by bringing sources of radiation near the Geiger tube's window.The relative degrees of penetration of alpha, beta and gamma particles through various absorbers is separately demonstrated for three different radioactive sources.