Uranium in cloud chamber - GIF

[Altair]

Uranium-238 in cloud chamber.




Previously:

Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab toy lab set - photo
Mohs scale for metallic elements and alloys - infographic
Timeline of chemical element discoveries - photo
Floating an anvil in liquid mercury - video
Putting out a magnesium fire with water - GIF

[Ralphxyz]

What are we seeing?

Ralph

[Frank S]

What are we seeing?

Ralph

You are seeing a possible future micronized power generation module The only problem is Spock is no longer with us to save the ship when the module gets knocked out of alignment

[JoeVanGeaux]

What are we seeing?

Ralph

We are seeing what Frank said and illustrates visually, and in real-time, the effect of natural radiation passing through the vapor of an alcohol-water mixture inside a closed container. The emitted particle ejects from the source and ionizes the vapor mix on its way out leaving those cool ionized vapor trails.

If you had a Gieger Counter nearby you'd hear a click each time one of those particles intercepted the Geiger tube if the radiation wasn't absorbed by some radiation shielding. The resulting clicks are what the instrument is "counting". The energy represented by the clicks counted is then mathmagically converted into something more meaningful (in theory!) for your reading pleasure on the instrument's dial face. If it was a really high enough energy source, you could have used the instrument reading to tell you how long ago you should have gotten away from the source!!