A simple proportional counter made from common materials, and supplied with high voltage by a circuit made from automotive ignition parts, is described and investigated. Alpha particles from Po210 are shown to give up to 25-volt pulses, while beta rays from Cs137 produce signals with amplitudes up to 2 volts without the use of any external amplification. These pulses are readily heard with headphones, or amplified by standard public-address equipment.

Topics
Electroacoustics, Alpha particles, Beta particles, Proportional counters
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© 1957 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1957
American Association of Physics Teachers
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