Posts
"When it comes, will you please let your readers know what practical applications in everyday life the Geiger Counter will have? I have heard of it for years and thought it was good mainly for finding metals under the soil."- Anonymous BW Science Labs Reader.
My Geiger Counter did arrive, but the only reason I was hesitant to immediately create a post was because the ebay seller failed to send the special headphones and the 6 dosimeter tubes as promised. The reason I can't use any normal headphones is because the Geiger Counter I have is so old that it was a "phone" jack rather than a headphone jack. The seller has not responded to any of the emails I have sent to him requesting the items he forgot.
Furthermore, the six dosimeter tubes are still missing. Dosimeter tubes display how much radiation the wearer has accumulated over a period of time. Dosimeter tubes are checked periodically to see how much radiation they have been exposed to since its last charge. Dosimeters can also be in the form of badges that you see dentists an x-ray operators wear. The difference between a dosimeter and a Geiger Counter is a Geiger Counter tells you how much radiation your GM (Geiger-Muller) tube on the counter is picking up at one point in time. Dosimeters are better to use in a radiation lab while Geiger Counters are better for searching for radiation leaks, sources, etc.
An experiment I wanted to do with the dosimeters is see how much radiation an average person accumulates in one day going to school, work, etc. because as you read this, tiny radioactive particles are zipping through your body, however only in trace amounts. I wanted to see how much radiation there would be total. Unfortunately, I cannot do so without a dosimeter tube.
Metal detectors are typically used to locate metal (i.e. underground as the asker mentioned), but they fail to locate radioactive sources. That's where the Geiger Counter comes in. Many houses are built on radioactive sources without knowing it. Also, something called Radon gas can inhabit enclosed areas, doing enormous long term damage to whoever lives in the house. By using a Geiger Counter you can check your home for radiation, which is pretty practical. After going through my home many times, I was "disappointed" to find nothing radioactive.
Many old watches are painted with radioactive materials to glow in the dark. Geiger Counters can pinpoint this radiation for you to clean up.
Thank you for your question, but please leave your first name later to make it easier to reply and reference.
Thanks.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Practical Uses For The Geiger Counter
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Thanks for a fascinating, informative reply. I think it might be a good idea for householda to routinely have a Geiger Counter to stay safe over time. What do you think of that?
Now I am interested in the results of your "at school" experiment when your equipment is complete.
Geiger Counters can get expensive (that's why I have a Cold War Era model), and there are cheaper ways to go. You can purchase a radon detection kit for about 10, but its only good once. I don't think checking a house periodically is really necessary (maybe once a year or so), but it makes a great excuse to get a Geiger Counter. :)
Yes, that was a very good response to the question. I would love to see what the results after a day at school are. Could a tiny speck of radiation effect a person's health, or is it just regular?
Great Question. Radiation is mostly harmless in trace amounts, but it depends on what you call a "spec". If you eat or breathe in radioactive powder or grains, then there could be some major health risks.
A few particles here and there will do virtually nothing, they're traveling through your body right now!
Breathing in and eating radioactive particles will do the most harm by far.
Only in the X-Files do you see people covered in radiation burns. :)
I'm actually working on the radiation article that will be featured in the next edition of Science Quarterly right now.
This scientific inquiry undoubtedly will eventually have some very meaningful results. I will be anxious to learn of further developments and findings.
I have never heard of a Geiger Counter before. Wow, what a machine! What experiments have you done so far with it?
Good Question!
I've been many experimenting with different sources of radiation. As far as "serious" experimentation goes, a rad-lab is needed.
If you don't want to buy an expensive Geiger Counter, yet you want to experiment with radiation, then I recommend you go with some of the products at nuclearon.com.
If you find a small radioactive source in your home then you can put it into a lead isotope container. Nuclearon sells them, but charges a high price. In time like these, use ebay: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=lead+isotope&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Hope this helped.
Brennon
Thank you so much for the advice. What happens if I find out I have radiation in my home? What do I do then? How do I get rid of it?
Getting rid of it is a lot harder than finding it. If you find a small source, i.e. radium-painted watch hands, then just seal them in a lead isotope container.
However, in the event that your house has radon gas in it, then your home is most likely built on or near a large underground radioactive source. Radon gas can have lethal effects on the body, but often a simple change in ventilation will suffice, and solve your problem.
Each house is unique, so I recommend you contact the contractor who built your house to see what ventilation changes would solve your problem.
The effects of radiation can be very subtle at first, but can later cause genetic mutations leading to terminal illnesses like different forms of cancer.
Thank you again. If I have anymore questions about this issue, I will let you know.
Post a Comment