Thickness monitoring If the foil is too thick it absorbs more beta particles. The detector receives less beta particles and then sends a signal to the rollers to increase the force on the foil, making it thinner. If the foil is too thin it absorbs less beta particles. If the foil is too thick it absorbs more beta particles. The detector receives less beta particles and then sends a signal to the rollers to increase the force on the foil, making it thinner. If the foil is too thin it absorbs less beta particles.

How is the thickness of the aluminium foil controlled using this equipment?

A radioactive source producing beta radiation is used to control the thickness in the manufacturing industry. In this example the thickness of aluminium foil is controlled by measuring the amount of beta radiation that passes through it.

What happens to the count rate if the thickness of the paper decreases?

To control the thickness of metal or paper An emitter is placed on one side of a sheet and a detector on the other. If the thickness of the sheet remains constant the activity will not change. If there is a change in thickness, the activity increases or decreases.

How does a smoke alarm work BBC Bitesize?

Smoke detectors When smoke enters between the plates, some of the alpha particles are absorbed causing less ionisation to take place. This means a smaller than normal current flows so the alarm sounds. An alpha source is used because alpha radiation does not penetrate very far. It is absorbed by a few cm of air.

How beta radiation can be used to monitor the thickness of sheet metal being rolled?

In paper mills, the thickness of the paper can be controlled by measuring how much beta radiation passes through the paper to a Geiger counter. The counter controls the pressure of the rollers to give the correct thickness.

What type of radiation is used for thickness control?

Beta radiation Beta radiation is used for tracers and monitoring the thickness of materials.

Which radioactive isotope in the table should be used to monitor the thickness of the paper?

Beta radiation can be used to check the thickness of paper in factories.

Why does the Geiger counter never fall to zero?

The radioactivity from some substances dies away very fast – perhaps in a few microseconds. Others take thousands of years before you'll notice that the radioactivity had decreased at all. In theory, every radioactive substance should stay slightly radioactive for ever – the graph should never actually fall to zero.

What type of radiation is used in thickness monitoring?

Beta radiation Beta radiation is used for tracers and monitoring the thickness of materials.

How does a fire alarm work GCSE?

Smoke alarms Alpha radiation ionises the air and this allows a small current to flow between two electrodes. Alpha is weakly penetrating so smoke stops it, the current drops and the alarm goes off.