Objective:
– Demonstrate the radioactivity of an “everyday” object.
– Discuss spectral differences of isotopes.
Apparatus:
- Fiesta Tableware cup
- Geiger Counter
Method:
Hold the Geiger counter near the cup to audibly detect the radiation.
Notes:
Pre WWII Fiesta Tableware used naturally occurring uranium oxide for the glaze of their orange ceramic dinnerware. Naturally occurring uranium oxide mostly contains U-238, but also a small amount of U-235 which is fissionable and was used for the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima. During WWII the company that makes Fiesta dinnerware had to stop production and turn their stock of uranium oxide over to the US government. After the war, sometime in the 1950’s, they began production of the dinnerware again, but used depleted uranium. The difference between its pre and post war dinnerware is evident in the gamma spectra collected from the pottery. Some interesting discussion and spectra are available here: https://www.gammaspectacular.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=747.