Background Radiation Patterns Eli Braun and Evan Stewart Pd.1

Background Radiation is made up of certain particles that are so highly energized that they transfer energy through ionization. All the matter around this radioactive particle either loses or gains electrons creating fast moving particles and waves. There are two different sources from where the radiation could have came from: Cosmic and radioactive materials on Earth. In this specific experiment we will hope to visualize the radioactive particles in the air that derive some from the Earth and some from the Sun.

Objectives ●to create a cloud chamber with various materials to help visualize the background radiation in the air. ●see if there is a pattern between the radioactive particles or if they are dispersed randomly

Theory A cloud chamber can be used as a sealed environment containing a supersaturated vapor of alcohol. The particles that became charged from the radioactive molecules in the air should collide with the molecules of alcohol that now saturate the chamber.The ions left behind from the radioactive material will start to form alcohol condensation droplets on the nuclei. This leaves a visible trail of condensation which indicates the path of the radioactive molecules in the air. In a dark environment a flashlight can be used so its light bounces off the condensation particles making them more visible.

Neutrinos Neutrinos are the main particles that make up the background radiation we are finding. Neutrinos are tiny subatomic particles that are the result of radioactive decay. Many think Neutrinos are relics of the Big Bang.

Neutrinos are neutral particles so the electromagnetic force does not act on them. Due to their minuscule masses the only force that acts on them is a weak subatomic force, which is why they are, in the air, unimpeded by most forms of matter.

Even though Neutrinos are not charged, they interact with other molecules’ nuclei with their weak subatomic forces creating charged ions. Those ions will hopefully pick up the alcohol vapor and form the clouds, within which we can find patterns.

Materials ●Plastic Cups ●Dry Ice ●Felt ●Clay ●Ethyl Rubbing Alcohol ●Baking Sheet ●Black Paper ●Gloves ●Scissors ●Tape ●Hammer ●Flashlight

Set-up As our cloud chamber we used a plastic cup. We soaked a piece of felt with the alcohol and attached it to the bottom of the cup with a piece of clay. Black paper was used at the top of the cup as a background to better see the vapor. We inverted the cup upside down and surrounded it with dry ice to act as insulation.

Pictures

Results We kept track of whether the tracks in the tube came in a vertical, diagonal, horizontal, or random pattern. By the end of the trials, it did not seem as if the tracks were taking any particular set of paths; they were all over the tubes.

Conclusion Based on our results, it seems that the radiation we observed took random tracks. This is in line with what we anticipated, because neutrinos and other background radiation of the type we were observing usually move randomly through the air. Since we were not near a strong radioactive source, the radiation we observed most likely dissipated into the air from sources like uranium in the ground. If we were observing radiation tracks from a stronger, more concentrated source, like uranium itself, they would be more likely to follow one particular direction.

Sources "Supernovas: Making Astronomical History." Neutrinos. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May "Quantum Diaries." Quantum Diaries RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May "Watching Nuclear Particles: See Background Radiation Zoom Through A Cloud Chamber." Watching Nuclear Particles: See Background Radiation Zoom Through A Cloud Chamber. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May