Science Watching uranium emit radiation inside a cloud chamber is mesmerizing

**Dave Lane** · 03-09-2015, 09:59 AM

Here's a really neat, classic experiment that's always fun to see. When you place uranium inside a cloud chamber, you can see it decay and emit bits of radiation. It's like seeing little alpha particle torpedoes shooting out in every direction, leaving a trail behind.

You can actually do this type of experiment at home too by following these instructions. Below is a video showing nearly an hour's worth of footage.

**Easy 6** · 03-09-2015, 10:03 AM

Cool... cool and terrifying.

Halfcan · 03-09-2015, 11:09 AM

Watching Uranium decay is more exciting than watching Alex Smith play football.

Uranium > Smith

ping2000 · 03-09-2015, 11:24 AM

Do the DOE and FBI visit your house a lot?

**Dave Lane** · 03-09-2015, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ping2000

Do the DOE and FBI visit your house a lot?

They will never find nuttin!!!

**Meatloaf** · 03-09-2015, 02:18 PM

Super cool. Thanks, Dave!!!

Superbowltrashcan · 03-09-2015, 04:12 PM

This also works quite nicely with old Coleman lantern mantles. They had a trace of Cesium 90 if I remember correctly. Also fun to get a piece of older orange Fiestaware. The earlier versions had Uranium oxides in them. They were incredibly radioactive. Had a piece we cloud chambered in physics class for a few years. Probably ought to locate that...

RINGLEADER · 03-09-2015, 05:23 PM

No Spock! No!

**Meatloaf** · 03-09-2015, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbowltrashcan

This also works quite nicely with old Coleman lantern mantles. They had a trace of Cesium 90 if I remember correctly. Also fun to get a piece of older orange Fiestaware. The earlier versions had Uranium oxides in them. They were incredibly radioactive. Had a piece we cloud chambered in physics class for a few years. Probably ought to locate that...

TrashCan, is that why you still glow in the dark?

(sorry, it HAD to be said)

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-09-2015, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbowltrashcan

This also works quite nicely with old Coleman lantern mantles. They had a trace of Cesium 90 if I remember correctly. Also fun to get a piece of older orange Fiestaware. The earlier versions had Uranium oxides in them. They were incredibly radioactive. Had a piece we cloud chambered in physics class for a few years. Probably ought to locate that...

Probably Strontium 90. Cesium is in a lower period.

stonedstooge · 03-09-2015, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbowltrashcan

This also works quite nicely with old Coleman lantern mantles. They had a trace of Cesium 90 if I remember correctly. Also fun to get a piece of older orange Fiestaware. The earlier versions had Uranium oxides in them. They were incredibly radioactive. Had a piece we cloud chambered in physics class for a few years. Probably ought to locate that...

I collect Vaseline glass which was very popular from the late 1800's to the 30's and 40's. Put a black light on it and it glows in the dark. Uranium was used in the glass production that gives it glowing properties. Not harmful embedded in glass. Old watches are more dangerous as the radium used to make the hands glow in the dark was highly radioactive. Many of those people that worked on painting the watch hands suffered in their later years from the radium used in the paint

03-09-2015, 09:59 AM
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Watching uranium emit radiation inside a cloud chamber is mesmerizing Here's a really neat, classic experiment that's always fun to see. When you place uranium inside a cloud chamber, you can see it decay and emit bits of radiation. It's like seeing little alpha particle torpedoes shooting out in every direction, leaving a trail behind. You can actually do this type of experiment at home too by following these instructions. Below is a video showing nearly an hour's worth of footage.
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03-09-2015, 10:03 AM	#2
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3677775	Cool... cool and terrifying.
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03-09-2015, 11:09 AM	#3
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Watching Uranium decay is more exciting than watching Alex Smith play football. Uranium > Smith
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03-09-2015, 11:24 AM	#4
ping2000 Changes pants while driving Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Washington D.C. Casino cash: $5850495	Do the DOE and FBI visit your house a lot?
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03-09-2015, 02:18 PM	#6
Meatloaf Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $4160359	Super cool. Thanks, Dave!!!
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03-09-2015, 04:12 PM	#7
Superbowltrashcan Starter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South JoCo Casino cash: $3496406	This also works quite nicely with old Coleman lantern mantles. They had a trace of Cesium 90 if I remember correctly. Also fun to get a piece of older orange Fiestaware. The earlier versions had Uranium oxides in them. They were incredibly radioactive. Had a piece we cloud chambered in physics class for a few years. Probably ought to locate that...
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03-09-2015, 05:23 PM	#8
RINGLEADER In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Confusion, USA Casino cash: $8610503	No Spock! No!
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