Ei-8 Magnetic deflection of Beta Rays
Aim
To demonstrate that beta particles are charged particles electrons and that they may be deflected by a magnetic field
Apparatus
- Geiger tube
- Sr90 source
- Retort stand
- Paper
- Aluminium foil
- Lead blocks
Description
A strontium 90 source is placed below the poles of a strong horseshoe magnet. A lead aperture is used to ensure that beta particles are reasonably well collimated. With no magnet the detector produces maximum counts when in line with the source. Introducing the magnet requires the detector to be perpendicular to the source illustrating the deflection has been quite dramatic.