Cam McBean

Measuring Radiation in Terms of Distance

AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to measure the change of radiation detected by the Geiger
counter by changing the angle and distance of the Geiger counter in relation to the
radioactive material.
HYPOTHESIS:
I believe that the angle of the Geiger counter wont affect the amount of radiation detected
for it is measuring the same substance from the same distance. But if the Geiger counter is
placed further away, then the amount of radiation clicks will decrease because there is a
smaller chance that there is radiation picked up by the Geiger counter.
VARIABLES:

Controlled:
o Material measured
o Geiger counter
o Substance between the material and Geiger counter
Independent:
o For experiment 1
The angle of the Geiger counter relative to the material is the only
thing changed
o For experiment 2
The distance of the Geiger counter from the radioactive material
Dependent:
o The variable measured in both of these experiments is the amount of clicks
per 60 seconds measured by the Geiger counter

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

Geiger counter
Ruler
No 10 radioactive material
Protractor
METHOD:
Experiment 1
Changing the angle from the material

Place Geiger counter 5cm away from selected radioactive material

Set Geiger counter to 10 seconds and record amount of clicks (Geiger counter will do
this for you)
Be careful not to touch the material or counter while recording as to not influence
results
Multiply by 6 to find amount of clicks by 60 seconds
Change angle by 15o
Repeat

Experiment 2

Cam McBean
Changing the distance from the material
Place Geiger counter touching the material (0cm) at a consistent angle
Set Geiger counter to 10 seconds and record amount of clicks (Geiger counter will do
this for you)
Be careful not to touch the material or counter while recording as to not influence
results
Multiply by 6 to find amount of clicks by 60 seconds
Change distance from material by 5 cm
Repeat
DATA:
Experiment 1

Radiation Clicks vs Angle of Y Axis

600
500
400

Radiation Clicks 300

200
100
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

30

35

Angle of Y Axis

Experiment 2

Radiation Clicks vs Cm of Distance

400
350
300
250

Ratiation Clicks in 60 sec 200

150
100
50
0

10

15

20

25

Distance Away From Source (cm)

DISCUSSION:

Cam McBean
Experiment 1
Experiment ones results supported my hypothesis that there would be a very minimal if any
change in radiation clicks. This is because the surface area and the area in contact with the
Geiger counter is the same no matter what angle it is placed at.
Experiment 2
Again my hypothesis supported the results shown, the further away the Geiger counter was
placed, the less radiation was detected. This is due to the radiation spreading out more as it
leaves the substance, less of this then enters the Geiger counter and so it detects less
radiation.
ERRORS:
Possible errors made in this experiment were

An inconsistent measurement in the independent variables

The Geiger counter recording at an inconsistent rate
The lack of time means we didnt get to record multiple times to get more reliable
data
Interfering with the data by knocking the table and or materials

GEIGER COUNTER:
A Geiger counter is a cylinder filled with low pressure gas sealed at one end. There is a wire
of tungsten is connected to a high, positive voltage so there's a strong electric field between
it and the outside tube. This machine was invented by the German scientist Hans Geiger,
and has the ability to detect alpha, beta and gamma radiation. When radiation enters the
tube it ionizes splitting the gas molecules. The electrons are attracted to the tungsten wire
for it is positively charged. This electrical energy is transferred to an amplifier and produces
a click which is recorded.
CONCLUSION:
My hypothesis was that the angle of the Geiger counter would not affect the results but the
distance would. The results shown support this. This experiment was conducted well and the
only problem that was encountered was the lack of time for extended results.
REFERENCES:
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-geiger-counters-work.html