Absorption of beta particles in different materials: an undergraduate experiment

The absorption of beta rays from a radioactive source in different materials was investigated by the use of a simple setup based on a Geiger counter and a set of absorber sheets. The number of electrons traversing the material was measured as a function of its thickness. Detailed GEANT simulations w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of physics 2009-11, Vol.30 (6), p.1417-1425
Main Authors: La Rocca, Paola, Riggi, Francesco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
College Science
Communication, education, history, and philosophy
Computer Software
Computer Uses in Education
Exact sciences and technology
General physics
Laboratory Equipment
Molecular Structure
Physics
Physics literature and publications
Science Experiments
Science Instruction
Science Laboratories
Simulation
Surveys and tutorial papers, resource letters
Undergraduate Study
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Summary:The absorption of beta rays from a radioactive source in different materials was investigated by the use of a simple setup based on a Geiger counter and a set of absorber sheets. The number of electrons traversing the material was measured as a function of its thickness. Detailed GEANT simulations were carried out to reproduce the obtained results. This work was undertaken as an addition to the laboratory activity in an undergraduate curriculum. (Contains 6 figures.)
ISSN:0143-0807
1361-6404
DOI:10.1088/0143-0807/30/6/019