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Royal Institution
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Cloud Chamber
This video from the Royal Institution shows tracks within a cloud chamber. A supersaturated layer of alcohol vapour exists just above the floor of the chamber and the ionisation radiation causes vapour to condense along the path of the radiation. An Americium source is introduced into the chamber so that tracks from alpha radiation can be seen. Cheaper cloud chambers can be made using fish tanks and baking trays, with solid carbon dioxide chips to cool the alcohol vapour.
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