Spinthariscope
A spinthariscope (Template:IPAc-en)[2][3] is a device for observing individual nuclear disintegrations caused by the interaction of ionizing radiation with a phosphor (see radioluminescence) or scintillator.
Invention
The spinthariscope was invented by William Crookes in 1903.[4][5] While observing the apparently uniform fluorescence on a zinc sulfide screen created by the radioactive emissions (mostly alpha radiation) of a sample of radium bromide, he spilled some of the sample, and, owing to its extreme rarity and cost, he was eager to find and recover it.[6] Upon inspecting the zinc sulfide screen under a microscope, he noticed separate flashes of light created by individual alpha particle collisions with the screen. Crookes took his discovery a step further and invented a device specifically intended to view these scintillations. It consisted of a small screen coated with zinc sulfide affixed to the end of a tube, with a tiny amount of radium salt suspended a short distance from the screen and a lens on the other end of the tube for viewing the screen. Crookes named his device from Template:Langx (Script error: No such module "lang".) "spark".[7]
Crookes debuted the spinthariscope at a meeting of the Royal Society, London on 15 May 1903.[8]
Toy spinthariscopes
Spinthariscopes were quickly replaced with more accurate and quantitative devices for measuring radiation in scientific experiments, but enjoyed a modest revival in the mid 20th century as children's educational toys.[9] In 1947, Kix cereal offered a Lone Ranger atomic bomb ring that contained a small one, in exchange for a box top and US$0.15 (Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".).[10][11][12] Spinthariscopes can still be bought today as instructional novelties, but they now use americium or thorium. Looking into a properly focused toy spinthariscope, one can see many flashes of light spread randomly across the screen. Almost all are circular, with a very bright pinpoint centre surrounded by a dimmer circle of emission.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In museums
The American History Museum of the Smithsonian has several spinthariscopes in its collections, and an article discussing them.[13] However, since 2022[update]Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". none are currently on display.[14]
References
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- ↑ Reif, Rita. "ARTS/ARTIFACTS; Trivia Long Ago, Serious Treasures Now". The New York Times. 11 June 1995.
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External links
- Modern spinthariscope
- Elements of electricity: a practical discussion of the fundamental laws and ... by Robert Andrews Millikan, Edwin Sherwood Bishop, American Technical Society