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Thickness of Aluminum Foil Using Radioactive Isotope and Nuclear Scalers, page 1

f current which can be counted by the scaler

Previous experiments have demonstrated that various materials will shield
against alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. The identity of the material, its
thickness, and its chemical composition will affect the material’s ability to absorb or
transmit these particles and rays. Thus, we can use a radioactive isotope as a gauge for
depth or thickness. We allow particles or rays to pass through materials of the same
identity but varying known thickness; we then measure the counts of radioactive
particles which pass through the sample. Once a calibration curve is constructed, a
sample of unknown thickness can be tested and compared to the curve in order to
determine its thickness
There are many engineering situations in which thickness or depth must be
precisely controlled (rolled metals like steel or aluminum, depth of material in a
container, thinness of paper or plastic lms). Industries routinely make use of
radioactive isotopes like americium 241, krypton 85, or cesium 137 for these purposes
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Thickness of Aluminum Foil Using Radioactive Isotope and Nuclear Scalers, page 2

PURPOSE
1. To measure counts of radioactivity through samples of aluminum which have various
thickness

2. To measure counts of radioactivity through samples of aluminum of unknown

thickness

3. To determine the thickness of the unknown sample using the calibration curve

4. To determine the thickness of the unknown sample using a Vernier caliper

5. If time permits, repeat the experiment with samples of other metal

SAFETY

1. Students should observe all laboratory safety precautions, including the wearing of
appropriate clothing, footwear, and safety goggles

2. There should be no eating or drinking during the experiment

3. Wash hands thoroughly after clean-up

4. Students with compromised immune systems should consult their physicians before
participating in this experiment
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Thickness of Aluminum Foil Using Radioactive Isotope and Nuclear Scalers, page 3

PRELAB QUESTIONS

1. Make a sketch of the SpecTech ST-150 nuclear scaler with its sample storage
compartment open. Draw and label these parts

sample storage compartmen

sample storage compartment doo
samples (in their storage slots
detector compartmen
source holder (top view
beta sourc
source holder with beta source, in detector compartmen
aluminum sample in detector compartmen
control button
display scree

2. What is the purpose of measuring the background count

3. Write a hypothesis statement that relates beta particle count to thickness of a

sheet of aluminum

4. Explain how we will determine the unknown thickness of the aluminum foil
sheet. Be speci c!
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Thickness of Aluminum Foil Using Radioactive Isotope and Nuclear Scalers, page 4

MATERIALS PER GROUP

SpecTech ST-150 nuclear scale

assorted samples of metal of various thicknesse
radioactive source
forcep
vernier calipe
aluminum foi
milligram balanc
metric rule
scissor

PROCEDURE for college preparatory Chemistry or Physics students:

INSTRUMENT SETUP
1. Put on your safety apparel and equipment as speci ed by your teacher
2. Obtain the materials listed above, and take them to your lab bench. Make sure
that the scaler is near an electrical receptacle. Also make sure that the radioactive
source is at least one meter away from the detector until you are ready to place it
in the detector compartment
3. Open the door to the sample storage compartment. Ensure that there are
samples in each of the eleven slots and that there is also a clear plastic source
holder in slot number 5
4. Remove the source holder from slot number ve. Slide the empty source holder
onto the bottom shelf of the detector compartment
5. Connect the power cable to the electrical receptacle, and switch on the scaler
6. Press the “H.V.” button one time to set the detector voltage; the red light should be
lit. Press the “UP” button several times until the display reads “460”. Press the
“H.V.” button again to turn off the red light. You have just set the voltage in the
detector tube to 460 Volts
7. Press the “TIME” button one time to set the sampling time; the red light should be
lit. Press the “UP” button several times until the display reads “90.” Press the
“TIME” button again to turn off the red light. You have just set the sampling time to
90 seconds.

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Thickness of Aluminum Foil Using Radioactive Isotope and Nuclear Scalers, page 5

MEASURING THE BACKGROUND COUNT

8. Press the count button one time. The red light above the “COUNT” button will be
lit. The instrument will begin to count the number of times that a particle is
absorbed by the detector tube. The instrument will keep counting for 90 seconds,
at which time the red light above the “COUNT” button will go out. The display is
now displaying the number of particles absorbed by the detector tube in 90
seconds. This is the “background” count from the environment around the
instrument. Record this data in your data table
9. Repeat step 8 until you have made three determinations of the background count

DATA COLLECTION FOR THE Al SAMPLES OF KNOWN THICKNESS

10. Place the beta source into the circular depression of the source holder, and
replace it onto the bottom shelf of the detector compartment
11. Obtain aluminum sample number 5 from the sample storage compartment, and
place it onto the second shelf from the top of the detector compartment .
12. Press the count button one time. After the instrument completes the 90 second
count, record your data. Repeat until you have made three determinations with
this piece of aluminum.
13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 using aluminum sample number 6
14. Repeat steps 11 and 12 using aluminum sample number 7
15. Repeat steps 11 and 12 using aluminum sample numbers 5 and 6, placing them
both on the same shelf
16. Repeat steps 11 and 12 using aluminum sample numbers 5 and 7, placing them
both on the same shelf
17. Return the aluminum samples to their correct slots in the sample storage
compartment
18. Record the thickness data for the aluminum samples from the “door” of the sample
storage compartment. Be sure to record the thickness both in inches and in mg/
cm2
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Thickness of Aluminum Foil Using Radioactive Isotope and Nuclear Scalers, page 6

DATA FOR THE Al FOIL OF UNKNOWN THICKNESS

19. Remove sample number 6 from the sample compartment. Trace its outline onto
the surface of the aluminum foil. Use scissors to carefully cut the foil.
20. Place the aluminum foil square onto sample number 6 and place both onto the
second shelf from the top of the detector compartment .
21. Press the count button one time. After the instrument completes the 90 second
count, record your data. Repeat until you have made three determinations with
this two-piece thickness of aluminum.
22. Measure and record the length, width, and mass of the aluminum foil piece you
made
23. If available, use calipers to measure the thickness of the aluminum foil piece you
made

CLEANU
24. Return all samples to their proper places in the sample storage compartment
25. Turn off the scaler, and then un-plug it from the receptacle
26. Return all materials as directed by your teacher.
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Thickness of Aluminum Foil Using Radioactive Isotope and Nuclear Scalers, page 7