Nuclear Spectroscopy
Nuclear Spectroscopy
These experiments are a continuation of our 
fundamental course in radioactivity on high-school level.
The students measure the discrete energies of alpha-particles with the aid of a semiconductor detector, their loss of energy in air is determined and you can reconstruct the famous Rutherford experiment of scattering alpha-particles in a gold-foil.
Using a beta-spectroscope the students show that this kind of nuclear radiation has a continuous energy-spectrum. The existence of the neutrinos follows from this result. The velocities of the beta-particles are so high that you need the formulas of special relativity theory to describe their dynamics.
The discrete energy of gamma-quanta is measured by scintillation counters. Interesting is the correlation in space and time of the two gamma-quanta that are created when an electron and a positron annihilate. In XLAB we can also provide different natural radioactive samples, where you can identify radiating isotopes. Of course the students can analyse their own samples.
Date: On arrangement
