Published September 10, 2008 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

A novel experiment to investigate the attenuation of alpha particles in air

Creators

  • 1. Geographical and Life Sciences Department, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1QU (United Kingdom)

Description

A simple student experiment investigating dependence on air pressure of the attenuation of alpha particles in air is described. An equation giving the pressure needed to absorb all alpha particles of a given energy is derived from the Bethe-Bloch formula. Results are presented for the attenuation of alpha particles from americium 241 and radium 226. The experimental results are in close agreement with the theoretical predictions

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/29/5/019

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/29/5/019;
PII
S0143-0807(08)79944-6;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
European Journal of Physics
Journal Volume
29
Journal Issue
5
Journal Page Range
p. 1077-1083
ISSN
0143-0807
CODEN
EJPHD4

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
40015922
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
AIR; ALPHA PARTICLES; AMERICIUM 241; EQUATIONS; RADIUM 226
Descriptors DEC
ACTINIDE NUCLEI; ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES; ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; AMERICIUM ISOTOPES; CARBON 14 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; CHARGED PARTICLES; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; FLUIDS; GASES; HEAVY ION DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; HEAVY NUCLEI; IONIZING RADIATIONS; ISOTOPES; NUCLEI; ODD-EVEN NUCLEI; RADIATIONS; RADIOISOTOPES; RADIUM ISOTOPES; SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES; YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES