Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    purplechic29's Avatar
    purplechic29 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 4, 2011, 04:55 PM
    The effect of air pressure on the range of alpha particles
    Alpha particles have a range of about 6cm or 7cm in air at normal atmospheric pressure. This is because the kinetic energy of the alpha particle is continually being transferred to air molecules due to collisions between the alpha particles and the air molecules.

    Design an experiment to investigate how the range of alpha particles in air is affected by the air pressure. Name the alpha particle detector you would use. List the other apparatus that would be required and explain how you would use it in performing th experiment. Pay particular attention to any safety precautions which should be taken.
    Unknown008's Avatar
    Unknown008 Posts: 8,076, Reputation: 723
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Mar 5, 2011, 09:21 AM

    What apparatus do you usually use to determine nuclear radiation?

    How can you change pressure?
    purplechic29's Avatar
    purplechic29 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Mar 5, 2011, 04:20 PM
    Comment on Unknown008's post
    Change pressure using a valve system
    A silicon based detector is usually used to detect ionized particles
    Unknown008's Avatar
    Unknown008 Posts: 8,076, Reputation: 723
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Mar 6, 2011, 10:02 AM
    Okay, so now, can you think about a way to design the experiment using these and the usual other apparatus in a lab?
    purplechic29's Avatar
    purplechic29 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Mar 6, 2011, 05:46 PM
    Comment on Unknown008's post
    No... that's the whole point of me asking
    Unknown008's Avatar
    Unknown008 Posts: 8,076, Reputation: 723
    Uber Member
    		  
    #6

    Mar 7, 2011, 06:33 AM

    Come on, we're not here to do your homework, but to help you.

    1. You can record the radiation.
    2. You can vary the air pressure.

    Couple of questions which, if you can answer too, can help you:
    - How will you get alpha particles?
    - What are you investigating and taking recordings? (length? Amount of alpha particles? Pressure?)
    - How are you going to prevent air from the atmosphere to interfere with the air pressure you're using?
    bling72's Avatar
    bling72 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Mar 9, 2011, 08:42 PM
    Experiment determining the range of alpha particles in air
    bling72's Avatar
    bling72 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #8

    Mar 9, 2011, 08:44 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by purplechic29 View Post
    Alpha particles have a range of about 6cm or 7cm in air at normal atmospheric pressure. this is because the kinetic energy of the alpha particle is continually being transferred to air molecules due to collisions between the alpha particles and the air molecules.

    design an experiment to investigate how the range of alpha particles in air is affected by the air pressure. Name the alpha particle detector you would use. List the other apparatus that would be required and explain how you would use it in performing th experiment. Pay particular attention to any safety precautions which should be taken.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Procedure for determining how the pressure affects the range of an alpha particle [ 0 Answers ]

I'm doing an experiment to determine how pressure affects the range of an alpha particle by using an ionization chamber. I don't understand how to write up the method. Would really love some help. Tacher says we'll be doing this with varrying distances using a metre rule

Geiger tube count measurement(range of alpha particles) [ 1 Answers ]

6.There is an error in the experimental procedure in that is assumed that each particle is detected at the Geiger tube window. In actual fact, each particle could be detected anywhere throughout the length of the Geiger tube. The position would probably be different for each particle. Explain how...

Radiation, range of alpha particles [ 5 Answers ]

Alpha particles lose 5 x 10(-18) J of kinetic energy in each collision they make with an air molecule. An alpha particle traveling through air at STP undergoes around 5(5) ionising collisions with the air molecules for each centimeter of air they travel through. Calculate the range of the alpha...

View more questions Search