A polonium 210 source in a needle is used for Alpha particle experiments such as cloud chambers. The activity is less than 0.1 uCurie and the half life is 138 days. I had better get on and do stuff before it goes away.
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This is a spark detector for alpha particles from an Americium sample. It runs on 6 kV via a 400 k ohm resistor and a 100 pF capacitor and has about 0.2 inches between wires and is about 0.2 inches deep.
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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).
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The spinthariscope made from around the house materials demonstrates INDIVIDUAL radioactive decays.
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