Experiment set CHEMISTRY 6: RADIOACTIVITY

Radioactivity in student experiments?

This experiment set makes it possible for students to discover the most important laws of radioactivity for themselves without any hazard. The knowledge they will gain helps them to properly assess the chances and risks of radioactivity and make judgements on the subject without any ideological baggage.

No samples requiring official approval

All radioactivity measurements to be made with this set can be carried out using everyday items found in many households. This eliminates the need for complicated registration and storage of expensive radioactive samples. The results demonstrating radioactivity in air and tap water are almost sensational, but so are those on the topics of magnetic deflection as well as the distance and absorption laws. The samples which are used are also sealed into plastic cases, preventing any direct contact. The equivalent dose at a distance of 0.1 m for the Welsbach mantle in its case is less than 0.9 µSv/h and its activity is well below 2000 Bq. Both these values are therefore well below the limits for requiring registration.

Highly sensitive radiation meter

The equipment at the core of the set is an end window Geiger counter tube with extremely high sensitivity for measuring alpha, beta and gamma radiation and equivalent dose. Apart from the digital display, an LED display and an acoustic signal make it easier to detect radiation. The duration of the measurement can also be pre-set. A 9-V block battery provides the necessary voltage.