A device to safely perform experiments on radioactivity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a cost-effective, safe device based on a Geiger-Müller tube that enables realistic classroom experiments on radioactivity, effectively demonstrating alpha, beta, and gamma emissions and engaging both students and professionals.

Contribution

It presents a novel, safe, and affordable device for educational radioactivity experiments that accurately mimics real radioactive behavior.

Findings

Device successfully simulates alpha, beta, and gamma emissions.

It fooled many physicists and teachers during public demonstrations.

The device is safe and cost-effective for classroom use.

Abstract

This paper describes a cost effective and safe device to perform realistic experiments about the physics of radioactivity in classrooms. It can be used to study both $\alpha-$ and $\beta-$radioactivity as well as $\gamma-$emitters and shows an extremely realistic behaviour. The device, in the form of a Geiger-M\"uller tube, was tested during a public lecture and it deceived many people, even among physicists and teachers.