Alpha Particle Absorption (1 Viewer)

[M-turkey]

This may be a long shot. But would anyone happen to know of a way to calculate the rate alpha particle radiation is absorped in air?
The closest information I can find it "in the order of thousands per centimetre of air"

Our class is trying to measure radiation levels of some samples and then attempt to date them. As would be expected, the beta and gamma samples are fairly accurate, the alpha sample is causing problems.

Any help would be fantastic.

 

[gordo]

alpha particles usually lose ernergy within a couple inches in air and ionise (grab 2 electrons) to becom helium ions.

Low linear energy transfer (LET) of alpha particles are measured by the ionisation density (ion pairs/cm of air) along the path of the radiation.

basically, a known volume of air is irradiated with alpha particles, and the ions produced (electrical charge) are collected and measured.


google ALPHA LET for more info