This 1930’s watch face had radium painted numerals to permanently glow in the dark. It has long stopped being visible as the phosphor degenerated. Strong UV light can still light it up but not as much as a bag of similar phosphor (activated zinc sulphide) shown here.
“Continue reading” for radioactive counts, more details and links…
Radioactive americium 241 from a smoke detector is a potent alpha radiation emitter with an energy of 5.38 MeV. Alpha particles are helium nucleii (2 protons and 2 neutrons).
“Continue reading” for radiation counts, sources and shielding effects.
Continue reading
Potassium has some natural beta radiation (high speed electrons or positrons) and can penetrate paper but not a few mm of aluminium.
“Continue reading” to read about Cherenkov radiation, tritium, antineutrinos and links…
Continue reading
Uranium ore (Yellowcake) emits gamma radiation. The Geiger counter reads 108,000 CPM through the plastic of the container.
“Continue reading” for Geiger readings of other gamma emitters plus links…
Tritium tubes have radioactive tritium gas and a phosphor which glows constantly. Tritium is hydrogen with two neutrons. It is radioactive with a half life of 12.3 years.
“Continue reading” for radiation count and information about beta radiation from tritium plus links.
Continue reading
A Geiger counter measures various types of ionising radiation such as Gamma rays. Shown here with antique Uranium marbles that were bright due to some fluorescence.
“Continue reading” for a hotter Uranium sample, specifications and links…
Continue reading
A sampler of mildly radioactive mineral sands mined locally.
“Continue reading” for radioactivity readings and links..
Continue reading
The spinthariscope made from around the house materials demonstrates INDIVIDUAL radioactive decays.
“Continue reading” for details of this easy project and others. 8 photos and links…
Continue reading