3B Scientific Cloud Chamber - Manual

3B SCIENTIFIC® PHYSICS
1
Cloud chamber U8483220
Instruction sheet
11/07 SP/ALF
1 Cover
plate
2 Supporting rod
3 Base-plate
4 Rubber
bellows
5 Filling nozzle (with thread for
attaching radiation cartridge)
6 Absorption foil on hinged
support
1. Safety instructions
• In experiments with radioactive substances, ob-
serve the regulations that currently apply for the
region (e.g., radiation protection regulations).
2. Description
The cloud chamber is used for making the tracks of
ionising radiation visible (especially for
α radiation).
The cloud chamber consists of a thick plate of Plexi-
glas fixed above a base-plate with a gas-tight seal. In
the centre of the base-plate there is a nozzle onto
which a rubber bellows is pushed. There is also a
foam rubber pad recessed into the base-plate, which
provides resistance against the air flow during the
adiabatic expansion of the gas filling. In the chamber
there is an absorption foil (paper) held on a hinged
support. One suitable radiation source for use with
the cloud chamber is the radium radiation cartridge
(U8483110), which can be screwed into an off-centre
threaded hole in the base-plate. A supporting rod on
the side of the cloud chamber allows it to be clamped
to a stand.
The fluid used in the cloud chamber is a mixture of
methanol and water in the proportion 50:50.
A cloud chamber such as this does not need to have
its design licensed, but this model is in fact licensed
as a radiation-proof holder for the radiation cartridge
U8483110. The cloud chamber thus qualifies under
radiation protection provisions (e.g. II. SVO § 9, 4 in
Germany), whereby its design is officially approved
(PTB No. VI B/S 3516) and licensed (licensing docu-
ment BW 8/65/II).
3. Technical data
Chamber dimensions: 15 mm x 90 mm dia.
Supporting rod: 45 mm x 10 mm dia.
Weight: 600 g approx.
Cloud chamber fluid: methanol/water 30 ml