Nuclear Experiments Using A Geiger Counter

This book illustrates a variety of nuclear experiments one can perform using a Geiger Counter. The experiments teach the fundamentals of nuclear science and particle physics.  Beginning with an introduction to ionizing radiation and Geiger counters. The book explains the different types of radiation Geiger counters can detect and measure. The book explains the functions and reading available from the Geiger counter. How to read CPS and CPM measurements and use PC graphing software. The first experiment is on measuring background radiation. How to calculate the mean and standard deviation of the background radiation. The second experiment continues on to the Poisson distribution. Other experiments illustrate the difference between alpha, beta, x-ray and gamma radiation, shielding for radiation, detecting radioactivity in food, detecting radon in a closed environment, inverse square law, deflecting beta particles using magnetic and more.

Table of Contents
1 – What is Radiation?...........................................................................3
2 - Geiger Counter Buyer’s Guide.......................................................19
3 - Introduction to the GCA-07W Geiger Counter..............................38
4 - Measuring Background Radiation..................................................49
5 - Poisson Distribution.......................................................................61
6 - Shielding - Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Radiation............................71
7 - Inverse Square Law Experiment.....................................................79
8 - Detecting Low Level Radioactivity in Food..................................82
9 - Capturing and Detecting Radon in the Environment......................93
10 - Calculating Dead Timeof GM Tube..........................................101
11 - Backscattering Experiment.........................................................107
12 - Magnetic Deflection of Beta Particles Experiment....................115
13 - Half-Life Experiment.................................................................125
14 - Urban Prospecting......................................................................135
15 - DIY Geiger Counter...................................................................145
16 - DMAD Expansion Module.........................................................163