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Cloud Chamber
Item #P2-7030
$399.00
Bundle Discount
| Unit Price | $399.00 |
| 3+ | $371.00 |
Visualize ionizing radiation particle tracks
Make radiation visible—safely and affordably—without the hassle of dry ice or liquid nitrogen. The Cloud Chamber uses a freezer-chilled cold plate to create a supersaturated alcohol vapor, so students can watch real particle tracks form right in front of them. It’s a powerful way to turn “invisible” ionizing radiation into something concrete and observable.
After freezing the cold plate in a standard freezer, the chamber runs for about an hour, with clear radiation trails typically visible for around 20 minutes per setup. Add a small amount of ethanol and warm water, illuminate with the included bright LED, and students are ready to investigate alpha and beta interactions using the included low-activity source.
Why Teachers Love the Cloud Chamber
- No cryogens needed: A freezer-cooled cold plate replaces dry ice or liquid nitrogen, making setup safer and far more convenient.
- Reliable, classroom-friendly runs: One freeze gives ~1 hour of cold-plate performance and ~20 minutes of track viewing per trial.
- Complete, ready-to-use kit: Includes lighting, chamber components, and a safe radiation source plus a detailed instruction guide.
Product Details
What You Can Teach with the Cloud Chamber
Great for high school through introductory college modern physics and chemistry:
- Radioactive decay: Observe real-time particle emissions and connect them to decay processes.
- Alpha vs. beta radiation: Compare track thickness, length, and behavior in the vapor.
- Ionizing radiation & matter interactions: See how charged particles leave condensation trails in supersaturated vapor.
- Particle physics concepts (intro): Use visible tracks to discuss sources, shielding, and radiation types.
How It Works
- The apparatus uses a specially designed cold plate that is capable of retaining a low temperature for about one hour by freezing the plate in a standard freezer.
- Tracks of radiation can be observed for about 20 minutes until ethanol is vaporized.
- The cold plate can be used repeatedly by freezing it again.
- The only consumables required to observe radiation tracks are ethanol (99.5%) and hot water (~50° C).
- Detailed Instruction Guide included.
FAQ's
What is a cloud chamber, and what does it demonstrate?
A cloud chamber is a device that visualizes the paths of ionizing radiation particles. It demonstrates how particles like alpha and beta rays interact with a supersaturated alcohol vapor, leaving visible trails.
What educational concepts can a Cloud Chamber help teach?
The cloud chamber is an excellent tool for teaching concepts such as radioactive decay, particle physics, and the nature of ionizing radiation. It provides a visual and interactive method to engage students in these topics.
Product Specifications
Specs:
Cold Plate:
Size: 150 mm x 150 mm x 35 mm
Observation Dome:
Material: Transparent PVC
Size: 100 mm x 100 mm x 110 mm
Hot Water Tub:
Material: PVC
Felt fabric on the bottom back-surface (location where ethanol is applied)
Charging metal of intermediate layer: Aluminum
Size: 130 mm x 130 mm x 70 mm
PVC Rod:
Size - 240 mm x 13.5 mm
What's Included:
Cold Plate
Observation Dome
Hot Water Tub with felt bottom
Super-Luminous White LED Light
Tungsten Rod Containing Thorium (fixed on resin board)
PVC Rod
3 AAA Batteries
Warning: California Residents
WARNING: Cancer & Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov