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Explanation of the Animation and the Content of the Topic „Wilson Cloud Chamber“
Components of a Cloud Chamber, also known as the Wilson Cloud Chamber:
- Pr: Alpha emitter
- K: Piston for expansion
- E1: Blackened metal plate (anode)
- E2: Wire ring as counter-electrode (cathode)
- L: Lamp for lateral illumination
Functionality of the Cloud Chamber
The ionizing effect of radiation is utilized in the cloud chamber to make the trajectories of charged particles (e.g., alpha particles) visible and photographable.
Through adiabatic expansion (as a result of the movement of the piston), air in the chamber is made supersaturated with water. The ions generated by the alpha particles act as condensation nuclei, forming traces of water droplets (cloud trails) that make the trajectory of the alpha particles visible.
The electric field between the electrodes E1 and E2 serves to continuously remove wandering charge carriers.
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