Measuring the Radioactivity of a Smoke Detector
BlackBoard Notes

======================= Photo - Click for a Larger Version =============================

======================= First Board Section =============================

• Place radiation monitor directly on source and centered
• Always respect radiation sources - no eating or drinking during lab!
• Wash your hands when finished!
  • (Attach 'No Eating…' sign to blackboard in this section)

======================= Second Board Section =============================

• Test activity with assorted materials between source & radiation monitor:
  • Paper (1,2,& 3 sheets)
    • Leave paper for next group!
  • Air gap (~1 cm)
  • Choose 2 of the following (on side bench)
  • Copper
  • Zinc (ZN - dull gray)
  • Steel (Rusty)
  • Tin (SN - shiny)
  • Lead (thick - only 1 piece)
    • Descriptions not needed if pieces labeled with sticky notes

======================= Third Board Section =============================

• Calculate mass of Am 241 in smoke detector:



 

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©	St. Lawrence University	Department of Physics

Revised: 18 Apr 2022

Canton, NY 13617