Cloud chambers are a wonderful way to get your child interested in science. You can make them at home, they can be decorative if youre crafty or just a really fun, safe experiment. Bismuth was recently found to be an alpha particle emitter (a type of radiation that is rather harmless, beta is what damages our cells and DNA) Its something you can melt down on the stove and it will re grow its crystal structure. You may have seen it in a science museum gift shop, they tend to have a haze of rainbow colors on the surface (oxidation). I dont want to spoil the surprise, but if you put it near a cloud chamber, something amazing will happen... :) Im going to make a big one this year using the 3d printer and will post vids. Keep an eye out. You can check youtube to learn what they are and how to make them, but i feel it more fun to engaging to ask a scientist over watching a video. Much more engaging that way, and you can ask questions in real time.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:42:55 +0000