- #1
wil3
- 179
- 1
Hello, I would like to start by saying that I know very little about nuclear decay, so please do not flame me if this is a silly question:
I am wondering if it is possible to generate enough potential to light an LED indefinitely using pure beta decay. Let's say the circuit consists of a beta source, such as potassium chloride, crushed up and mixed with a continuous piece of aluminum foil in such a way as to maximize the surface area that the potassium chloride touches.
Let's say that I then attached the aluminum foil to an LED, and connected the other end to ground. Is it theoretically possible that the electrons from the beta decay process could light the LED? About how much potassium chloride (such as salt substitute) would be necessary? I am not looking for efficiency, just a demonstration.
I am wondering if it is possible to generate enough potential to light an LED indefinitely using pure beta decay. Let's say the circuit consists of a beta source, such as potassium chloride, crushed up and mixed with a continuous piece of aluminum foil in such a way as to maximize the surface area that the potassium chloride touches.
Let's say that I then attached the aluminum foil to an LED, and connected the other end to ground. Is it theoretically possible that the electrons from the beta decay process could light the LED? About how much potassium chloride (such as salt substitute) would be necessary? I am not looking for efficiency, just a demonstration.