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Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:16 pm
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?

Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:55 pm
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/

Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:05 pm
by slash128
Appreciate the advice. I ordered some uranium glass to try.

Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 7:13 pm
by slash128
The uranium glass definitely showed a noticeable increase in CPM vs background, thanks!

Re: Is Lead-210 a good test source?

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2021 10:29 am
by mightyohm
That is great to hear. Thanks for posting about Lead-210, that's a new isotope for me.
Enjoy your kit!