Syllabus 021-025 Physics For Science and Engineering Students Laboratory III
Syllabus 021-025 Physics For Science and Engineering Students Laboratory III
Syllabus 021-025 Physics For Science and Engineering Students Laboratory III
Syllabus 021-025
Physics for Science and Engineering Students
Laboratory III
Instructor: TBA
Office Hours:TBA
TA: TBA
Office Hours:TBA
Description: 021-023, 024, 025. General Physics for Science and Engineering Students
1, 2, & 3. Lab. 1 cr. ea. Laboratory courses to accompany introductory
physics courses 021-013, 014 and Introduction to Modern Physics 021-
015 respectively.
Goals: The overall goal of this course is to provide the student with the
appropriate experimental evidence to reinforce concepts learned in
elementary modern physics. Specific objectives are as follows:
Text: Handouts will be provided for each laboratory exercise. No particular text
will be required. Many experimental write-ups will also be available
electronically.
Attendance: Attendance is required for all laboratories exercises. Students may not
submit reports for exercises for which they were not in attendance.
Students who arrive to class late will be required to complete the entire
laboratory exercise. Such students will not be permitted to join a group
that has already started on the laboratory exercise.
A penalty of 5 points per day will be imposed for all late reports. Late
reports will not be accepted after 1 week. Students required to make up
laboratories will be required to do so within one week of the date the
laboratory was missed.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. You are expected to arrive on time since instructions are given and announcements
are made at the start of class.
2. A work station and lab partners will be assigned to you in the first lab meeting. You
will do experiments in a group but you are expected to bear your share of
responsibility in doing the experiments. You must actively participate in obtaining
the data and not merely watch your partners do it for you.
3. The assigned work station must be kept neat and clean at all times. Coats/jackets
must be hung at the appropriate place, and all personal possessions other than those
needed for the lab should be kept in the table drawers or under the table.
4. The data must be recorded neatly with a sharp pencil and presented in a logical way.
You may want to record the data values, with units, in columns and identify the
5. If a mistake is made in recording a datum item, cancel the wrong value by drawing a
fine line through it and record the correct value legibly.
6. Have your data sheet signed by the instructor before you leave the laboratory. This
will be the only acceptable proof that you actually performed the experiment. A
copy of the signed data sheet must be attached to the written report as an Appendix.
7. Each student, even though working in a group, will have his or her own data sheet
and submit his or her own written report, typed, for grading to the instructor on the
next scheduled lab session. No late reports will be accepted.
8. Actual data must be used in preparing the report. Use of fabricated, altered, and other
students' data in your report will be considered as cheating. No credit will be given
for that particular lab and the matter will be reported to the Dean of Students.
10. If you must be absent, let your instructor know as soon as possible. A missed lab can
be made up only if a written valid excuse is brought to the attention of your
instructor within a week of the missed lab.
11. You should bring your calculator, a straight-edge scale and other accessories to class.
It might be advantageous to do some quick calculations on your data to make sure
that there are no gross errors.
12. Eating, drinking, and smoking in the laboratory are not permitted.
Report Format
0. Cover sheet - The cover sheer should contain the name of the experiment and
your name as well as the identification of any laboratory partners. Include the
date, the name of the class and the section, the name of the instructor, the name of
the Teaching Assistant, and your student ID.
2. Theory - Review the theoretical basis for the measurements and the calculations
that you will be making. Present and discuss appropriate formulas.
3. Data Presentation - Present the data that you measured in appropriate data table.
Discuss how you obtained the data (The Procedure) as needed.
4. Discussion - Discuss your findings. Describe any pertinent calculation that you
made. Present the results of your calculation in Data Table and in Graphs.
Discuss each table and graph presented.
6. Questions - Answer the questions presented at the end of the laboratory report.
7. Appendix - Include a copy of the data sheet obtained in the laboratory. This sheet
must have an instructor signature. (That is, a copy of the signed data sheet must
be attached to the written report as an Appendix.)
Note: All experiments are due the first class meeting following the completion of the
experiment.
*Optional Experiments
Electron Spin Resonance
Light Emitting Diode
Background
Data Tables
All data tables should be properly labeled with a title for the table, headings for
each column and description of the information in the table..
N
2
∑
xi
∑(x − x)
N N
standard deviation
∑
2
i xi −
2 i =1
N
σ = i=1
= i =1
N −1 N −1
x − xa
percentage error %error = • 100%, where xa is the accepted value
xa
N N N N
∑ xi 2 ∑ yi − ∑ xi ∑x y
N N N
Least Squares Fit: N ∑ xi yi − ∑ x ∑y i i i
i =1 i =1 i =1
b= i =1 i =1 i =1
;a= = y − bx
i=1
(y = a + bx)
N N
N 2 N 2
N ∑ x i − ∑ x i N ∑ x i − ∑ x i
2 2
i =1 i =1 i =1 i =1
N
i= 1
Graphs
All graphs should follow the format given below. A description of the graph should be
placed immediately after the graph.
Graph Title
30
Error Bars
20
Least Squares Fit Line
Y Axis Lable (units)
Plot Symbols
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Graph 1: (Place a statement here that describes the graph and its corresponding data
immediately after the graph.)
Note: These simulations we have developed are written using EXCEL. The student may
use other spreadsheets or computer graphics programs to complete these exercises if
he/she so chooses.
The student should run Simulation #1 on the worksheet named SIMULATION in the
Excel Program PHYIIIEXPI. The program is for a black box that generates numbers and
shows the value of the number and its corresponding index (sequence) on displays in the
simulation. The number are selected randomly from a known parent distribution with a
mean of ten (10) and a standard deviation of two (2).
The student should run Simulation #2 on the worksheet named SIMULATION in the
Excel Program PHYIIIEXPI. The program is for a simulated counting experiment in
which the SAMPLE (a point source) is located at a variable distance from the
DETECTOR. The operator controls the distance between the SAMPLE PLATFORM
and the DETECTOR by clicking the UP or DOWN buttons. The distance (in cm)
between the SAMPLE PLATFORM and the DETECTOR is displayed on a button in the
simulation. The simulated signal is given as counts per second received by the
DETECTOR and are displayed on a button in the simulation. The simulated signals are
selected randomly from a Gaussian distribution with a known mean and standard
deviation. These numbers are corrected so that the signal is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between the DETECTOR and the SOURCE. A small offset is
applied to this correction to account for the typical situation where there is some
unknown distance between the front of the detector housing and its active elements. A
small background count is also accounted for in the simulation.
INTRODUCTION
λ = 2dm/N (1)
PROCEDURE
NOTE: When you reverse the direction in which you turn the
micrometer knob, there is a small amount of give before the mirror
∗
Taken from PASCO Scientific laboratory write-ups
4. Adjust the position of the viewing screen so that one of the marks
on the millimeter scale is aligned with one of the fringes in your
interference pattern. You will find it easier to count the fringes if
the reference mark is one or two fringes out from the center of the
pattern.
6. Record dm, the distance that the movable mirror moved toward the
beam-splitter according to your readings of the micrometer knob.
Each small division on the micrometer knob corresponds to one µm
(10-6 meters) of mirror movement.
Analysis
For each trial, calculate the wavelength of the light, using equation (1),
then average your results. Complete the data table below. Determine
the Average and standard deviation of the data. Compare your results
for the wavelength to the known wavelength for the laser used in the
experiment.
Average
Standard
Deviation
% error
Questions
λ based on the
1. In the calculation to determine the value of
micrometer movement, why was md multiplied by two?
Viewing Screen
Compensator
18 mm Lens (optional)
Laser
Movable
Beam
Mirror
Splitter
Adjustable Mirror
Adjustment
Screws
Micrometer Knob
INTRODUCTION
PROCEDURE
∗
Taken from PASCO Scientific laboratory write-ups
NOTE: if the movable mirror is too far forward, the rotating table won’t
fit. You may need to loosen the thumbscrew and slide the
mirror farther back.
4. Position the pointer so that its “0” edge on the Vernier scale is
lined up with the zero on the degree scale on the interferometer
base.
5. Remove the lens from in front of the laser. Hold the viewing screen
between the glass plate and the movable mirror. If there is one
bright dot and some secondary dots on the viewing screen, adjust
the angle of the rotating table until there is one bright dot only.
Then realign the pointer scale. The plate should now be
perpendicular to the optical path.
6. Replace the viewing screen and the lens and make any minor
adjustments that are necessary to get a clear set of fringes on the
viewing screen.
7. Slowly rotate the table by moving the lever arm. Count the number
of fringe transitions that occur as you rotate the table from 0
degrees to an angelθ = 5 degrees.
8. θ through 0 to 10
Repeat the procedure above for rotations of
degrees, 0 through 15 degrees and 0 through 20 degrees.
DATA ANALYSIS
Average
Standard Deviation
QUESTIONS:
Viewing Screen
Glass plate
18 mm Lens
Laser
Movable
Beam
Mirror
Splitter
Rotational Pointer
Adjustable Mirror
30
-5 0
Adjustment
Screws
Micrometer Knob
∗
DOUBLE SLIT INTERFERENCE
INTRODUCTION:
d sinθ = nλ (1)
PROCEDURE:
∗
taken from PASCO Scientific laboratory write-ups
5. Keep the slit widths the same, but change the distance between
the slits by using the Wide Slit Spacer instead of the Narrow Slit Spacer.
Because the Wide Slit Space is 50% wider than the Narrow Slit Spacer (90
mm vs. 60 mm) move the Transmitter back 50% so that the microwave
radiation at the slits will have the same relative intensity. Repeat the
measurements.
ANALYSIS:
2. Calculate the angles at which you would expect the maxima and
minima to occur in a standard two-slit diffraction pattern. Refer to
equations (1) and (2). Determine the percentage error between the
calculated maxima and minima and the locations of your observed maxima
and minima
3. Plot a graph of sinθ vs. n for your data at each maximum observed.
Determine the best fit straight line for your data with the constraint that
the intercept is located at the origin. Given this constrain the slope of
the best fit line is given by
N
∑x y i i
b= i =1
N . (3)
∑ xi2
i =1
QUESTIONS:
Transmitter
d θ
Receiver
Transmitter
Double Slit
Receiver
NOTES:
1. Wavelength at 10.525 GHz = 2.85 cm
2. The experimenter’s body position may affect the results.
Ratio of e/m
Introduction
The Specific Charge of Electron Apparatus is used in conjunction with the
Electron Tube to measure the ratio of electron charge e to electron mass m. An
electron stream is accelerated through a measured potential difference. The
stream is projected through, and perpendicular to, a magnetic field of sufficient
strength to cause it to bend in a circular path. The value of e/m can be computed
from the relationships that exist among the acceleration potential, the strength of
the magnetic field, and the diameter of the circular path that the electron beam
describes.
From the definition of the magnetic induction B in a magnetic field, the force F
acting upon a charge e that is moving with velocity v perpendicular to the
direction of the field is given by
F = BeV. (1)
Since the direction of this force is always perpendicular to the velocity vector, it
follows that the force is a centripetal one. Such a force causes the electron with
mass m to move in a circular path. Hence,
mv 2
= BeV, (2)
r
where r is the radius of the circular path of the electron. The kinetic energy
acquired by an electron that falls through a potential difference V is given by
mv 2
eV = . (3)
r
e 2V
= 2 2 (4)
m B r
Note that since the cathode “gun” is located about 0.254 cm below the anode
plate opening the part of the equation involving the radius has a constant
numerical factor added.
e 2V
= 2 2
( )
. (5)
m B r + 0.00254 2
The apparatus used in this experiment makes it possible to determine the ratio
e/m. The magnitude of the flux density B, caused by the Helmholtz coils at the
central point is given by
8µoNI
B= , (6)
125R
where N is the number of turns per coil, I the current in the coils and R the coil
radius and µo the permeability of free space.
Procedure
6. Explore the area around the Helmholtz coils to see that there is no serious
interference from stray magnetic fields. This can be done with a compass
or a gaussmeter.
7. Connect the apparatus as shown in Figure 1. Check that the anodes of
the grid and plate are referenced to the cathode of filament. HAVE
INSTRUCTOR CHECK SETUP!
8. Adjust the filament current to about 0.9 amps. The e/m base is designed
such that 0.9 amperes supplied to the base yields 0.6 amps to the tube
filament. After allowing the cathode to heat for about 1 minute, apply the
plate potential and grid potential and notice the blue stream of electrons
that rises from the hole in the center of the disk. Then reduce the filament
current to the minimum level that still yields a visible beam. Adjust the
plate potential to 80-200 volts and vary the grid potential to bring the beam
into sharp focus. The electron stream should have a diameter of about
2 mm or less.
9. Energize the circuit to the field coils and then increase the current until the
beam bends into a complete semicircle. Adjust the plate voltage to vary
the accelerating potential and change the field current until the beam falls
on one of the marked circles. (The grid potential may need to be adjusted
when the plate potential is changed in order to keep the beam in focus.)
Record the plate potential, the field current, and the radius of the
described circle(.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 cm). Measure the mean radius of the
Helmholtz coils and record the number of turns per coil (119).
10. Repeat the observations by switching the field current polarity to obtain
several sets of data for each of the circles on the disk. Depending on the
anode plate voltage applied, it may be impossible to focus the beam on
the innermost circle.
Analysis
Using the data recorded from the experiment and the working equation, calculate
the values of e/m obtained from the sets of observations. Record the percentage
difference between the standard value of e/m and the mean of the values
e/m (coulombs/meter)
Reversed Polarity
e/m (coulombs/meter)
Field Coils
0-20VDC
E&M Apparatus
Plate
Filament Cathode
Grid
80-200VDC
Introduction
The new quantum model, however, predicted that higher frequency light would
produce higher energy photoelectrons, independent of intensity, while increased
intensity would only increase the number of electrons emitted(or photoelectric
current).
In the early 1900s several investigators found that the kinetic energy of the
photoelectrons was dependent on the wavelength, or frequency, and
independent of intensity, while the magnitude of the photoelectric current, or
number of electrons was dependent on the intensity as predicted by the quantum
model.
Explaining the photoelectric effect in terms of the quantum model, we see that
E = hν = KE max + W0
Experiment 1.
According to the photon theory of light, the maximum kinetic energy, KE, of
photoelectrons depends only on the frequency of the incident light, and is
independent of the intensity. Thus the higher the frequency of the light, the
greater its energy.
In contrast, the classical wave model of light predicted that KE would depend on
light intensity. In other words, the brighter the light, the greater its energy.
This lab investigates both of these assertions. Part A selects two spectral lines
from a mercury light source and investigates the maximum energy of the
photoelectrons as a function of the intensity. Part B selects different spectral
lines and investigates the maximum energy of the photoelectrons as a function of
the frequency of the light.
Part A
11. Adjust the h/e Apparatus so that only one of the spectral colors falls upon
the opening of the mask of the photodiode. If you select the green or
yellow spectral line, place the corresponding colored filter over the white
reflective mask on the apparatus.
12. Place the Variable Transmission Filter in front of the White Reflective
mask so that the light passes through the section marked 100% and
reaches the photodiode. Record the DVM voltage reading.
13. Press the instrument discharge button, release it and observe
approximately how much time is required to return to the recorded voltage.
14. Move the variable Transmission Filter so that the next section is directly in
front of the incoming light. Record the new DVM reading, and
approximate the time to recharge after the discharge button has been
pressed and released.
15. Repeat step 4 until you have tested all five sections of the filter.
16. Repeat the procedure using a second color from the spectrum.
Part B
(g) You can easily see five colors in the mercury light spectrum. Adjust the h/e
Apparatus so that only one of the yellow colored bands falls upon the
opening of the mask of the photodiode. Place the yellow colored filter over
the White Reflective Mask on the h/e Apparatus.
(h) Record the DVM voltage reading(stopping potential).
(i) Repeat the process for each color in the spectrum. Be sure to use green
filter when measuring the green spectrum.
Experiment 2.
Procedure
1. You can see five colors in two orders of the mercury light spectrum.
Adjust the h/e Apparatus carefully so that only one color from the first
order falls on the opening of the mask of the photodiode.
2. For each color in the first order, measure the stopping potential with the
DVM and record that measurement. Use the yellow and green colored
filters on the Reflective mask of the h/e Apparatus when you measure the
yellow and green spectral lines.
3. Move to the second order and repeat the process.
Analysis
After graphing stopping potential vs. frequency can you get a result for h/e and
W/e? Also can you calculate h and W?
Questions
8. Describe the effect that passing different amounts of the same colored
light through the variable Transmission Filter has on the stopping potential
and thus the maximum energy of the photoelectrons, as well as the
charging time after pressing the discharge button.
9. Describe the effect that different colors of light had on the stopping
potential and thus the maximum energy of the photoelectrons.
10. Defend whether this experiment supports a wave or a quantum model of
light based on your results.
11. Explain why there is a slight drop in the measured stopping potential as
the light intensity is decreased.
Theory:
hυ = W + (1/2) mv2
where W is the work function of the metal and (1/2) mv2 is the kinetic energy of the
ejected electron. Here m is the mass of the electron and v is the maximum
velocity of the photoelectron.
(1/2) mv2 = eV
where e is the charge on the electron. A large enough negative potential difference
will stop the flow of the fastest-moving electrons between electrodes and is
known as the stopping potential. In terms of the stopping potential V, the
photoelectric equation can be written as:
hυ = W + eV
Apparatus:
Procedure:
An LED begins to emit light when the voltage applied to it creates a large
enough energy difference between two electronic states in the parts of the diode
for an electron transition to release one quantum of light at the wavelength of the
LED. When the diode's characteristic curve is is obtained by plotting Diode
current versus voltage, a “knee” on the curve is clearly seen. The applied
voltage at the "knee" is proportional to the minimum emission voltage for the
light. Measuring this voltage for several LEDs of known emission wavelength
enables Planck’s constant, h, to be found to within 10% reliability.
eVo = h(c/λ)
(1) Graph at least one current vs. voltage curve for each diode given in the table
below.
(2) Determine the stopping potential (“knee” of the curve) for each curve obtained
in step (1) above.
(4) Discuss your results. Compare your findings to the accepted value for h.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
LED
Current
100 Ω
V
A
0-5V
+
Voltage
"knee"
I max
480 nm
20 mA
560 nm
50 mA
590 nm
635 nm
665 nm
950 nm
100 mA
+ -
Introduction
Collisions between electrons and gas atoms can be studied in some detail
with the gas triode tubes. The luminous discharge produced, when viewed with a
spectroscope, reveals a line spectrum indicating exchanges of discrete amounts
of energy due to collision when atoms are “excited”. Introductory laboratory
experiments have confirmed that the exchange is made by non-elastic collisions
but the resolution of such experiments is typically not sufficient to show existence
of any individual energy levels. In this experiment we utilized a tube which
produces a beam of electrons with a relatively narrow spread in energy.
The critical Potential Tube is of standard size and fits in the Universal
Stand for TelAtomic tubes. The inside surface of the bulb is coated with a
transparent conducting layer connected to the anode of a simple diode gun. A
tungsten cathode emits electrons in a narrow cone determined by the exit
aperture in the anode. The collector is a wire ring that is positioned so that it
cannot receive electrons directly from the cathode. The tube contains helium at
low pressure.
Electrical connections are made to plugs on the neck and the bulb of the
tube, and sockets in the base cap of the tube. Filament voltage should be 3.0 V,
1.5 A d. c., ripple free. Built in diode protection in the tube permits safe
application of 6.3 V a. c., but results are not so demonstrative when using a. c.
as opposed to d .c. voltage for the filament.
The anode voltage should range from 0 - 35 V d. c. with a current of 10
mA. The collector should be maintained at a voltage of 1 - 3 V d. c. above
(positive) with respect to the anode. Dry cells are convenient for this purpose.
Discussion
The onset of excitation of atoms occurs when the colliding electrons have
certain “critical energies” measured by the potential drop between the anode and
cathode through which they are accelerated. An electron with just sufficient
energy to excite an atom will, after collision, have little or no residual energy and
in the field-free region of the bulb will diffuse eventually to the walls and be
returned to the cathode. By making the collector a few volts more positive than
the anode such an electron will be attracted to the wire collector.
Thus when the average energy of the electron stream is sufficient to excite
the helium gas atoms, the population of the low energy electrons will increase
significantly to produce in the collector a measurable current which has little or no
contribution from the main beam. As the accelerating potential voltage is
increased, the collector current at first increases and then falls away until
1
Taken from TelAtomic Experiment 2533
another, higher energy, excitation occurs. The principal excitations potentials for
Helium is given in Table 1.
Table 1. Average Values of the Critical Potentials for the Principal Energy Levels
of Helium
Level Ground State 1st 2nd 3rd Ionization
Grounded Screen
TEL 2533.01
TEL. 2501
TEL 2533
C5
V
F F4
-
F3
+
A1
1.5 - 3.0 V
V IC
A
a.c. amplifier
0-60 V
0.75/1.5 V V
C Channel 1 0-1 V 1 Channel
Slow Fast
- +
2 2
Battery Unit
Hertz Control Console
TEL.2812
TEL. 2355.06 Data
Oscilloscope
Recorder
V max
A
min
V Y1
M
Y2
Procedure
18. Set channel 2 FAST on the Hertz Control Console to the signal of the
oscilloscope and channel 1 on the Hertz Control Console as the
oscilloscope trigger. (Remember for the BNC connectors, the black clips
should go to the common ground.)
19. Set the filament voltage, Vf (Vf is the round steel knob on top of the
DIGIRAMP) to zero and adjust the Oscilloscope trigger level control and
the channel 1 shift control to obtain a stable trace as shown in figure 2.
20. Use the oscilloscope controls to invert channel 2 and move the trace to
the lower edge of the screen.
21. Slowly increase Vf in the region 1.5 to 3.0 volts using the fine controls on
the top surface of LOVOLT DIGIRAMP.
22. Set Vm to 10 V and carefully adjust Vf to obtain a trace with several peaks
and adjust the trace to fill the oscilloscope screen.
Analysis
Ionization
Level 3
Level 2
Collector Current
Level 1
Ionization
BRAGG DIFFRACTION
(Taken from PASCO Scientific laboratory write-ups)
INTRODUCTION:
PROCEDURE:
3. Rotate the crystal (with the rotating table) one degree clockwise
and the Rotatable Goniometer arm two degrees clockwise. Record the
grazing angle of the incident beam and the meter reading. (The grazing
angle is the complement of the angle of incidence. It is measured with
respect to the plane under investigation, NOT the face of the cube; see
Figure 3.)
ANALYSIS
QUESTIONS:
2. Suppose you did not know beforehand the orientation of the “inter-
atomic planes” in the crystal. How would this affect the complexity of
the experiment? How would you go about locating the planes?
Cubic Lattice
n Table
Rotating
(210) (110)
(100)
Grazing Angle
Figure 3: The Grazing angle, measured with respect to the crystal plane
for (100) orientation.
Introduction
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Counts (Arbitrary Units)
N = No e − µx , (1)
∗
Lab write up based on PASCO Scientific Workshop Lab Manual.
thickness of the material. The value of µ depends on both the material and the
type of radiation.
Procedure
Background Radiation
23. The setup should include a Macintosh computer, signal interface, Nuclear
sensor, sources and assorted cables and stands. The software program
titled P59 Radiation Shielding should be running.
24. Move all radiation sources at least 10 feet from the Nuclear Sensor.
25. Click the REC button to begin collecting data. (Data collecting will
automatically stop after 60 seconds. The Table display will show the
number of counts for each 15 second interval.)
26. Click on the Table to make it active. Record the MEAN as the average
background radiation count (per 15 second interval ) .
27. After you record the MEAN, delete RUN #1. Click on RUN #1 in the Data
List in the Experiment Window.
Radiation Shielding
By measuring the thickness of each absorber you will have sufficient data
to graph the number of counts as a function of absorber thickness for each of the
absorbers. Make a semi-log plot of these data and determine µ for each
absorbing material from the slope of your graphs.
Alapa
Beta
Gamma
Alapa
Beta
Gamma
Alapa
Beta
Gamma
Questions
Introduction
One of the most common natural laws is the inverse square law. As one famous
scientist put it, “the inverse square law is characteristic of anything which starts
out from a point source and travels in straight lines without getting lost.” Light
and sound intensity both behave according to an inverse square law when they
spread out from a point source. Your intuition says that as you move away from
a point source of light like a light bulb, the light intensity becomes smaller as the
distance from the bulb becomes larger. The same is true for sound intensity as
you move away from a small radio speaker. What may not be as obvious is that
if you move twice as far from either of these sources, the intensity becomes one
fourth as great, not half as great. In a similar way, if you are at the back of an
auditorium listening to music and you decide to move three times closer, the
sound intensity becomes nine times greater. This is why the law is called the
inverse square law.
Nuclear radiation behaves this way as well. If you measure the counts per
second at a distance of 1 centimeter, the counts per second at 2 centimeters or
at 4 centimeters should vary inversely as the square of the distance. If N is the
number of counts measured at a distance r from the detector, N is given by
N0
N= (1)
r2
where No is an arbitrary constant.
Procedure
The equipment and software should be setup beforehand. The setup should
include a computer, Pasco interface, Geiger-Muller counter, adjustable stand and
radioactive sources.
∗
taken from PASCO scientific Science Workshop
34. Repeat the entire procedure for the alpha and gamma sources.
Data Analysis
Using your data discuss the relationship between distance and activity. Use
graphs and any statistical techniques that may be appropriate to this laboratory.
Questions
(x) Dose nuclear radiation follow the inverse square law? Justify you answer.
(y) What first action would be important to protect yourself from the radiation
released from a broken container of radioactive material?
(z) Does alpha and gamma radiation have the same relationship to distance
from the source as beta radiation?
(aa) How would the risk of exposure to radioactive substances be different if
nuclear radiation followed an inverse cube law?