Student Manual | ![]() In this experiment students work with radioactive sources and radiation detection apparatus. They perform quantitative measurements of the properties of these sources. |
Software Code | Absorption |
Sample Results | Experimentally achieved histogram overlaid with the Poisson distribution for the gamma source |
Experiment Code | 1.10 |
Version | 3rd November 2015,2015-v3 |
Further Readings and References
- RadioactivityModern physics, Thomson Learning, Inc., Serway, Mosses and Moyer, 479, (2005).
- Example taken from Boas’s bookMathematical methods in the physical sciences, M. L. Boas, 729, .
- RadioactivityIntermediate atomic and nuclear physics, St. Martin's Press. New York, A. W. Harrison, 116, (1966).
- Radioactive decayConcepts of Modern Physics, McGraw-Hill companies, Arthur Beiser, 419, (2003).
- About the Poisson DistributionStatistics methods and applications, Dr. M. Afza Beg, 198, .
Pictorial Procedure
![1. Provided apparatus](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_1-409x258.jpg)
1. Provided apparatus
![2. GM Counter](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_2-409x258.jpg)
2. GM Counter
![3. Connect power cable to the AC mains, turn VOLTAGE ADJUST knob anti-clockwise and press POWER button](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_3-409x258.jpg)
3. Connect power cable to the AC mains, turn VOLTAGE ADJUST knob anti-clockwise and press POWER button
![4. Press VOLTS button 6 times till LED behind blinks](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_4-409x258.jpg)
4. Press VOLTS button 6 times till LED behind blinks
![5. Set 900V through VOLTAGE ADJUST knob](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_5-409x258.jpg)
5. Set 900V through VOLTAGE ADJUST knob
![6. Accessing the Geiger software](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_6-409x258.jpg)
6. Accessing the Geiger software
![7. Bar graph screen of Geiger software](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_7-409x258.jpg)
7. Bar graph screen of Geiger software
![8. Measurement menu for selecting a specific time interval](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_8-277x207.jpg)
8. Measurement menu for selecting a specific time interval
![9. Exporting a file; click image for clarity](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_9n-409x258.jpg)
9. Exporting a file; click image for clarity
![10. Saving the .txt file; click image for clarity](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_10-409x258.jpg)
10. Saving the .txt file; click image for clarity
![11. loading the .txt file in MATLAB; click image for clarity](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_11-409x258.jpg)
11. loading the .txt file in MATLAB; click image for clarity
![12. Mounting a source holder](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_12-409x258.jpg)
12. Mounting a source holder
![Ppnuclear_13](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_13-409x258.jpg)
13. Measuring the thickness of an absorbing sheet
![14. Measure the distance (d) between source and GM tube](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_14-409x258.jpg)
14. Measure the distance (d) between source and GM tube
![15. Placing an absorbing sheet between the source and detector](https://physlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ppnuclear_15n-409x258.jpg)
15. Placing an absorbing sheet between the source and detector