Re: Radon class demo

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	The problem is not with the filter paper. The dust, which is
easily visible in many cases, contains the radon progeny and it sticks to
the front surface of the filter. I used chemistry laboratory filter paper,
but I am sure toilet paper or anything else that acts as a filter would
work fine. Of course the side of the filter paper that contains the dust
must be the side placed against the detector.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Mon, 27 Sep 1999 Kerembaev@cs.com wrote:

> 
> Try to use polyester base filter, Radon usually stick to it very well.
> Or if you can:
> find some metal or other electro-conductive material base filter and apply to 
> it (-) charge.
> It should attract positive charged Radon and progeny and of course alphas. 
> You see
> most of the isotopes Radium or other decay chains go thru beta decay at some 
> point
> so they get positive charged.
> 
> I hope, it will work for you.
> 
> Emil.
> kerembaev@cs.com
> 
> 
> You wrote:
> >>>
> I tried this using thick filter paper and after 2 min of filtering I did
> not detect any activity over background with a GM counter.
> 
> Any ideas?  I am in the upper midwest and this area should have a pretty
> high conc of radon gas.
> >>>>
>  
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