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uranium or in a cloud chamber, seeing
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the invisible world of radioactivity.
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Definition: A cloud chamber is a
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scientific device that makes the
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invisible paths of radioactive particles
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visible. When uranium ore emits
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radiation, the charged particles
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interact with the vapor inside the
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chamber, leaving behind visible tracks.
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Explanation: Uranium ore is naturally
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radioactive. It emits alpha particles,
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beta particles, and sometimes gamma rays
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as it undergoes nuclear decay. Normally,
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you cannot see these radiations with the
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naked eye. A cloud chamber, however,
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creates a super saturated environment of
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alcohol vapor. When a charged particle
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like an alpha or beta passes through, it
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ionizes the air along its path. The
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alcohol condenses around these ions
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forming tiny droplets. This condensation
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appears as streaks or trails much like
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contrails left by airplanes.
