Is Lead-210 a good test source?

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slash128
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Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Post by slash128 »

My kit powers on and I get random beeps. I have a Lead-210 test source that we used in a cloud chamber with great results but the Geiger counter does not register anything when near the source. Is this not a good test source?
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mightyohm
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Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Post by mightyohm »

From my quick research, Pb-210 is primarily a beta emitter. The problem may be that the energy of the beta decay is too low to penetrate the tube. I don't have any experience with Pb-210, so I'm not sure. I recommend finding another test source (preferably a gamma emitter):

https://mightyohm.com/blog/2012/02/feed ... t-sources/
slash128
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Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:07 pm

Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Post by slash128 »

Appreciate the advice. I ordered some uranium glass to try.
slash128
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Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:07 pm

Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Post by slash128 »

The uranium glass definitely showed a noticeable increase in CPM vs background, thanks!
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mightyohm
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Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Post by mightyohm »

That is great to hear. Thanks for posting about Lead-210, that's a new isotope for me.
Enjoy your kit!
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