Wilson Cloud Chamber: Radiation Detection & Build Tips

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Wilson Cloud Chamber, a device invented in the 1910s for visualizing radiation from radioactive materials and cosmic rays through the use of water vapor and adiabatic decompression. Participants inquire about the duration for which the chamber can maintain its water vapor, debating whether this time frame spans milliseconds to hours. Additionally, there is a tangential mention of MIMIC returns from hurricanes, although this topic is less explored. The conversation highlights the practical considerations of building and maintaining a cloud chamber for radiation detection.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of adiabatic decompression principles
  • Familiarity with radiation detection methods
  • Knowledge of the Wilson Cloud Chamber design and function
  • Basic meteorological concepts related to humidity and water vapor
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the construction techniques for building a Wilson Cloud Chamber
  • Explore the physics of adiabatic processes in relation to gas behavior
  • Investigate the effects of humidity on radiation detection in cloud chambers
  • Study the implications of MIMIC returns in meteorological phenomena
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics enthusiasts, educators, hobbyists interested in radiation detection, and meteorologists examining atmospheric phenomena.

gijsbert2002
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone,

in the 1910's Wilson build the very first cloud chamber based on watervapour and adiabatic decompression. With this device you can see radiation from radioactive materials and cosmic rays.

For a description see:
http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk/camphy/cloudchamber/cloudchamber1_1.htm

I was wondering how long it would take for a device like this to lose it's watervapour? Would it be a question of milliseconds, seconds, minutes or hours?

Anybody who tried building this historical device?

Greetings Gijs.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
What about the weird MIMIC returns from some of th latest hurricanes?

look at the bright red return on the lower left of the picture.

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-time/marti/2005_TWENTY-FOUR/webManager/basicGifDisplay48.html

After looking at this linke refer to the other links of Wilma and Katrina. They both have returns simmular to this one. What the heck is it??
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don't understand what you mean with this post. Do you mean that hurricanes can hold water really long?
That is a very different mechanism, they actually suck up water, just like cars and trees and stuff. I'm more interested in how long still air can hold enough water to see cosmic rays, in a practical sense.
 

Similar threads

High School Is our cloud chamber showing correct tracks from U-238 decay chain?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad In what ways can a cloud chamber be built without relying on dry ice?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
11K