Cloud chamber (Wilson)
Animation & Explanation made by BIGS
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Genaral information on “Cloud chamber”
Key to diagram
Pr – alpha emitter;
K – piston for expansion;
E1 – blackened metal disk (anode)
E2 – wire ring (cathode)
L – lamp for lateral illumination
In the cloud chamber, the ionizing effect of radiation is used to make the path of charged particles (such as alpha particles) visible so that it can be photographed.
As the piston is moved, adiabatic expansion of the air in the chamber results in supersaturation with water vapour. The ions created by alpha particles act as nuclei for condensation, forming cloud trails which indicate the path of the alpha particle.
The electric field between E1 and E2 is used for the continuous collection of stray particles.
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