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Lab Report 3 Tal

This lab report investigates the absorption of gamma radiation by lead using a Geiger-Muller (GM) tube and varying thicknesses of lead sheets. The experiment demonstrates an exponential decrease in gamma ray intensity with increasing lead thickness, confirming theoretical predictions. The report includes background information on the GM counter, the nature of gamma radiation, and the methodology used for the experiment.

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2 views

Lab Report 3 Tal

This lab report investigates the absorption of gamma radiation by lead using a Geiger-Muller (GM) tube and varying thicknesses of lead sheets. The experiment demonstrates an exponential decrease in gamma ray intensity with increasing lead thickness, confirming theoretical predictions. The report includes background information on the GM counter, the nature of gamma radiation, and the methodology used for the experiment.

Uploaded by

mohammad ashraf nadeem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lab Report No.

Course name: Modern Physics Lab

Course code: PHYS-309

Submitted to: Dr. Tahir Iqbal

Submitted by: Syeda Talia Emaan

Roll No: 22011510-11

Semester: BS Physics-VI (A)

 Title:

Investigation of absorption of gamma radiations by lead.

 Abstract:

This experiment investigates the absorption of Gamma rays in Lead


using a GM tube. Lead sheet of varying thicknesses were used.
Background readings were taken by increasing the voltage
simultaneously without placing any source in the GM tube. Next, Gamma
rays were placed in the GM tube, and counts were recorded. After this, an
Lead sheet was placed in the path of the Gamma rays in the GM tube, and
counts were taken. Then, using different thicknesses of Lead sheets,
additional readings were recorded. The relationship between the thickness
of the Lead and the count rate of Gamma rays was analyzed to determine
the absorption coefficient and the range of Gamma rays in Lead. The
results demonstrate an exponential decrease in Gamma rays intensity with
increasing Lead thickness, in accordance with theoretical predictions.

 Introduction:

Geiger Muller Counter

History:
The Geiger counter, also known as the Geiger Muller tube, was
developed by German physicist Hans Geiger and his graduate student
Walter Muller. The counter was first used to detect alpha particles in
1908, but was later improved to detect other types of radiation. In 1928,
Geiger and Muller developed the sealed Geiger-Müller tube, which could
detect more types of ionizing radiation. This made the counter a practical
radiation sensor.

Working:
Geiger counter is a device which is used to detect and measure particles
in ionized gases. The tube is a cylindrical chamber with a thin window at
one end which allow radiation to enter and a central wire electrode as
anode surrounded by a conducting cylinder acting as cathode. The
chamber is filled with a low-pressure inert gas like argon, often with a
small amount of a quenching agent to prevent continuous discharge. For
example, 90% is argon and 10% ethanol. A high voltage is applied
between the anode and cathode, creating a strong electric field. When
ionizing radiation enters the tube, it collides with gas molecules,
knocking electrons free and creating ion pairs. The electric field
accelerates these free electrons towards the anode, causing them to
collide with other gas molecules, creating even more free electrons in a
chain reaction, known as the Avalanche. This avalanche of electrons
creates a brief but significant current pulse between the electrodes, which
is detected by an external circuit. The quenching agent in the gas absorbs
excess energy from the excited gas molecules, preventing further
ionization and allowing the tube to reset quickly, ready to detect the next
radiation particle. A short period after a pulse where the tube is unable to
detect another radiation particle due to the remaining ionization is Dead
Time.
Gamma Radiations:
Gamma radiation (γ\gammaγ-rays) is high-energy electromagnetic
radiation emitted from the nucleus of radioactive atoms. Unlike alpha and
beta particles, gamma rays have no charge and can penetrate deeply into
materials, making them harder to shield.

 Materials Required:

 Gamma Radiation source


 GM Counter
 Lead sheets of varying thickness
 Micrometer
 Stopwatch

 Procedure:

 Place the GM counter at a fixed distance from the Gamma source.


 Measure and record the background radiation level by taking
readings without the source.
 Turn on the gamma source and measure the initial count rate.
 Record the number of gamma particles detected per unit time.
 Place a thin Lead sheet between the source and the detector.
 Record the count rate over a fixed time interval.
 Repeat the process by gradually increasing the thickness of Lead.
 Plot a graph of count rate vs. Lead thickness.
 Discuss how Gamma particles lose energy through ionization and
scattering.

 Observations and Calculations:

Related Viva Questions:

1. What is the principle behind the attenuation of gamma radiation?


Gamma rays decrease in intensity as they pass through a material,
following the exponential law: I=I0e−μxI = I_0 e^{-\mu x}I=I0e−μx
where μ\muμ is the attenuation coefficient and xxx is the absorber
thickness.

2. If we use a material with a lower atomic number than lead, how will
gamma absorption change?
The absorption will decrease because lower atomic number materials
have fewer electrons per unit volume to interact with gamma photons,
making them less effective shields.

3. What happens if the gamma source is replaced with an X-ray source?


X-rays, being lower energy than most gamma rays, would be more easily
absorbed. The attenuation coefficient would increase, and the half-value
thickness would decrease.

4. Why does gamma radiation require thick and dense materials for
shielding, unlike beta or alpha radiation?
Gamma photons have no charge and interact less frequently with matter,
allowing them to travel farther before losing energy. This requires dense
materials like lead to maximize interactions and absorption.

5. Why do high-energy gamma rays require multilayered shielding


instead of just lead?
High-energy gamma photons can produce secondary radiation (like
Bremsstrahlung X-rays). A combination of lead (to absorb gamma) and
low-Z materials (to absorb secondary radiation) is used in shielding.

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