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Re: X Rays



Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>

>
> Gammas are slightly harder than X Rays.
> Alphas and Betas are particles.
>
> > I did use it to test for radiation from thoriated tungsten. Found
> > none measurable. Hmm...might take it to the dentist the next
> > time we have an encounter.
>
You're not going to detect any radiation from Thoriated Tungsten rods.
Thorium's not all that active, (i.e long, long half life) and most of the
thorium is shielded by the Tungsten. Think about how many thorium atoms are
actually exposed on the surface, and then, how many (few) of those will
actually decay, and then, how few will actually go in the direction of the
GM tube.  At the very least, half the emitted particles will head INTO the
rod.

Fine dust, now, is another issue entirely.

Finally, I don't recall what Thorium emits, but if it's alpha particles,
you're not going see any anyway with an ordinary GM tube.

Actually, for spark gap use, (coming back to something useful for TC's), I
think thoriated electrodes might actually work better, particularly in a
triggered gap.  The thorium will make the gap more "consistent", and when it
gets hot, it is a GOOD emitter of electrons (why they use it in welding
rods, and in vacuum tube cathodes), ensuring breakdown.  It will, for the
same reason, be harder to "quench".