From Physics 111-Lab Wiki

All pages in this lab

I. Theory and Background

II. Staff Sign-off Sheet (BRA) and Pre-Lab Questions

III. Beta Ray Procedure

IV. Beta Ray Analysis

V. Error Analysis Notes

VI. Beta Ray Computer Programs

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Contents 1 Beta Ray Spectroscopy 2 Before The Lab 3 Pre-lab Discussion Questions 4 Mid-lab Questions

Beta Ray Spectroscopy

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Student's name ______________________________________________________________

Partner's Name ______________________________________________________________

Before The Lab

You must watch the Radiation Safety video inside the 111-Lab on the 111-Lab network, Sign three places the pink Radiation Safety form, and get a Radiation Ring before you use the apparatus in this experiment.

Ring Number_______

Issue date and signature ________________________________________________________________________________

Return date and signature __________________________________________________________________

Your Report will not be accepted until you have turned in your ring.

View the Beta Ray video introducing you to the background and apparatus necessary for the lab. Also view the Error Analysis video

Pre-lab Discussion Questions

It is your responsibility to discuss this lab with a professor or GSI. on the first day of your scheduled laboratory period. This signed sheet must be included as the first page of your report. Without it you will lose 1/3 of a letter grade. You should think about and be prepared to discuss at least the following before you come to lab:

1. What are beta rays? How are they produced?
2. How is radioactive decay related to nuclear binding energy?
3. What is the half-life of Cs¹³⁷ and what are the decay modes of this nucleus? Sketch the two beta-decay distributions of Cs¹³⁷. Qualitatively explain their general shapes and relative sizes. Indicate the maximum energy of each distribution.
4. What is the "internal conversion process" and how does atomic electronic binding play a role in the electron's final kinetic energy?
5. What is a Fermi-Kurie plot, and why do you need to use it ?
6. What does the b-ray spectrometer measure, and how does it measure it?
7. Identify and describe the operation of each of the pieces of experimental apparatus: source, coils, preamp, amp, SCA, etc.

Staff Signature ____________________________________________________ Date ______________

Completed on the first day of lab? (circle) Yes / No

Mid-lab Questions

On day 2 of this lab, you should have taken several quick spectra and determined an appropriate setting of the discriminator's baseline parameter. Demonstrate and show the spectra to an instructor and ask for a signature.

Staff Signature ___________________________________________________ Date ______________

Completed on the second day of lab? (circle) Yes / No