Zainab Majid 13ATH

Physics Unit 6

LAB REPORT: MODELING THE ABSORPTION OF GAMMA RAYS

Hypothesis: Gamma rays are attenuated by lead plates. As the number of lead plates increases, the count rate of the radiation should decrease exponentially. In the model at hand, visible light is used instead of gamma rays; it is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is easier to access in the classroom. Additionally, tracing paper will replace the lead plates. Thus, we should observe the attenuation of visible light rays by tracing paper. The relationship between the number of sheets and the current (caused by the light intensity registered on a photovoltaic cell) should be that of exponential decay.

Apparatus: - Ray Box - Ammeter (set to measure 0 200mA) - Power Pack (up to 14V) - Cables - Photovoltaic cell - 14 separate sheets of tracing paper - Micrometer - Retort stand

Method: - Set up the apparatus above putting the power pack on a voltage of 14V. - Ensure the light exiting the ray box is at maximum intensity. - Suspend the photovoltaic cell at a constant height in front of the ray box using a retort stand. - Record the current registered on the ammeter. - Add one sheet of tracing paper between the light source and photovoltaic cell. Then, record the reading on the ammeter again. - Continue adding successive sheets of tracing paper and record the value on the ammeter each time. - Measure the thickness of 15 sheets of tracing paper using a micrometer. - Repeat the entire experiment twice.

Fair Testing and Control Variables: - External conditions (most importantly, surrounding light intensity) remained constant. We attempted to keep the surrounding light intensity to a minimum by drawing all blinds in the room and turning off lights. - The same ray box was used throughout so that the initial light intensity, before any attenuation, did not vary.

Zainab Majid 13ATH -

Physics Unit 6

The distance between the ray box and photovoltaic cell was also kept constant. Again, to ensure the light intensity before attenuation was the same throughout. Additionally, the photovoltaic cell was positioned at the same height during the experiment for the same reason. The same type of tracing paper during the experiment to ensure the thickness of each sheet was approximately the same. The same photovoltaic cell, ammeter and voltmeter were also used. In the event of any systematic error across each of the items, the effect would be consistently present across the range of our results.

Reliability: - The entire experiment was carried out 3 times to rule out any anomalies that arose and calculate averages. - Since the thickness of 1 sheet of tracing paper is such a small value (less than 1 x 10-4 metres), one with a very high percentage uncertainty: the uncertainty of measurements on a micrometer is 1 x 10-5 metres. To reduce this uncertainty, the thickness of 15 sheets instead and divided the value by 15 to attain a measurement for the thickness of 1 sheet. - To reduce the percentage uncertainty of the readings on the ammeter, we ensured the initial light intensity was as high as possible. This gave as high a reading for the current as possible. The uncertainty of measurements taken by the ammeter (1 x 10-3 Amperes) would have less of an impact on a larger value than a smaller one.

Safety: - We were careful not to look directly at the light rays exiting the ray box. - In addition, we were also weary of the fact that the ray box was prone to heat up. We did not touch it until after it had been off for a significant amount of time. - We also ensured that any cables that were used to build the circuit were not frayed.

Results: Number of Sheets 0 1 2 3 4 158 134 118 105 96 Current / mA Test 1 160 136 120 109 100 Test 2 160 135 120 107 99 Test 3 159 135 119 107 98 Average

Zainab Majid 13ATH 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 90 82 77 72 68 64 59 56 54 52 92 88 76 71 67 64 60 57 54 52 91 86 75 70 67 65 60 56 53 51

Physics Unit 6 91 85 76 71 67 64 60 56 54 52

(Averages are rounded to the nearest whole number) Measurements for thickness of 15 sheets: 1.20, 1.17 and 1.18 mm.

Graph: For gamma rays, the nature of attenuation is determined by the following equation: I = I0e-X Where I is the intensity; I0 is the initial intensity; is the coefficient of attenuation and X is the thickness of the absorbing material. If the model used in this experiment holds, a similar relationship should exist. In our experiment, the current, not the light intensity was measured. Therefore, in this case, I denotes the current, not the light intensity. This is not a problem as current is directly proportional to light intensity for a photovoltaic cell. The above relationship should hold. Using the aforementioned formula, ln (I) = ln (I0e-X) ln (I) = ln (I0) - X Therefore, a graph of ln(I) (where I denotes the current) against X (the thickness - number of sheets of tracing paper) should result in a straight line with a gradient equivalent to - and an intercept on the ln(I) axis of ln(I0).

Zainab Majid 13ATH Analysis Thickness of one sheet of tracing paper: Average for 15 sheets = (1.20 + 1.17 + 1.18) / 3 Average for 15 sheets = 1.1833. mm Thickness of 1 sheet = 1.1833. / 15 Thickness of 1 sheet = 0.0789 x 10-3 m (3 sig. fig.) Evaluation

Physics Unit 6