RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ACTIVITY

Atirah Rahman, Ikhsan Mandala Putra, Marcetrisna Metoli, Nur Fadhilah Syarif
Modern Physics Laboratory Physics Department Mathematics and Science Faculty
State University of Makassar
Abstract. Have been done experiment about "Radioactive Substances Activity. Aim of this
experiment are investigating the characteristics of the emission of radioactivity several radioactive
sources, investigate and compare the penetrating power of alpha rays, beta, and gamma, and
investigate the relationship with the radioactive source within the source activity. In This
experiment three activities. In the first activity, were observed related to the activity of radioactive
substances at the source of alpha, beta and gamma. In the second activity, observations were made
to determine the permeability sources of alpha radiation, beta or gamma using the barrier lead /
lead / Pb with different thicknesses. In the third activity was observed by changing the distance of
the radioactive source to see its effect on the activity of the source . Based on the results of the
analysis of data through graphs of data obtained in any activity that has a beta ray emission of
alpha radioactivity of the greatest and most have low activeness among other rays. While rays
penetrating power bo is the most powerful gamma rays and obtained between the distance of the
source activity radioactive sources and found that the activity of this source is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance.

KEYWORDS: penetrating power, radioactive substances, radioactive substances activity

INTRODUCTION
Antoine Henri Becquerel, a
French scientist who was born on
December 15, 1852 were inadvertently
discovered radiation on radioactive
substances.
The
discovery
of
radioactivity was triggered by the
discovery of x-rays, which are also
found accidentally by W. Roentgen.
Although the discovery of radioactivity
was triggered by the discovery of x-rays,
the light is totally unrelated. [2]
In February 1896, Becquerel is
conducting
experiments
using
phosphorescent materials. Experimental
technique is quite simple. Becquerel
wrapping a photographic plate by using
black paper, with the intention of
protecting it from light, and then put it
on a phosphorescent material. Becquerel
then irradiated with sunlight directly
while before washing the plates.
Because it is known that x-rays can
penetrate paper, photographic plates in a
paper parcel will darken if the process is
to form an X-ray. [2]

Becquerel's discovery that it was

not alleged by him, implicit in the next
two paragraphs in the report. "I am very
confident that the following facts
especially for me is very important and
is outside the phenomenon is expected
to be observed: the same crystal layer,
placed on a photographic plate with
same way [2].
"At the end of 1896, Becquerel
reported on the ability of a material to
absorb a wide range of these rays.
Although
the
phenomenon
of
radioactivity was discovered by
Becquerel, radioactivity name itself is
given by Marie Curie, the discoverer of
the radioactive elements other than
uranium, namely polonium and radium.
[2]
Based on that performed the same
experiment to try to repeat the empirical
experience ever done by scientists on the
goal that by doing this experiment
radioactive substances activity will be
hang on the emission characteristics of
some radioactive substances that emit
radiation , , and , and comparing the
beam penetrating power , , and .

THEORY
One of the unique properties
owned by the atom is its ability to
transform spontaneously from a core
with a certain value of Z and N be
another core. This event is called the
decay. Such properties are owned by an
unstable nucleus and is called the
radioactive core. Radioactivity involved
the transmutation of elements. Events
transmitting radioactive rays from an
unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously
called radioactivity [2].
Radioactivity is the ability of an
unstable atomic nucleus to emit
radiation and transformed into a stable
core. This change is called the decay
process, and an unstable atomic nucleus
are called radionuclides. Material
containing
radionuclides
called
radioactive. Radioactivity involved the
transmutation of elements. Events
transmitting radioactive rays from an
unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously
called
radioactivity.
Symptoms
radiokativitas was instrumental in the
development of nuclear physics. There
are three types of radiation may be
emitted in a decay event, namely
radiation , , . [1]
Three aspects of radio-activity
that is deemed outstanding from the
standpoint
of
classical
physics
(prerelativitas and prekuantum):
1. If a core alpha or beta decay,
atomic number Z changed and it turned
into a core nucleus of different elements.
So an element not unchanged, although
the mechanism of transformation is not
known by the expert alchemy
2. The energy released during
the decay of radioactive dating of the
individual core without external
excitation, in contrast to the case of
atomic radiation. How can this happen?
It is understood only after Einstein
showed the equivalence of mass and
energy.

3. Radioactive decay is a
statistical process that meets the legal
opportunities. There is no causal
relationship involved in certain nuclei
decay, only opportunities per unit time.
Classical physics can not explain such
behavior, things like that fits naturally
within the framework of quantum
physics. [1]
Geiger Muller detector is a
function of radiation count tool for
detecting and enumerating radiation.
Geiger detector consists of a cylindrical
tube which at its aft mounted wire anode
and the inner cylinder fitted sheath of
skin as a cathode. Geiger Muller
detector is used to determine the amount
of radiation or radioactive counts. The
workings of the Geiger Muller detector
is to detect radiation from a source or
radioactive material. The rate of
radioactive decay is called activity. The
greater the activity, the more nucleus
decays per second. Activity is not
relevant to the type of radiation emitted
by the decay or footage, or the energy of
the emitted radiation. Activity is only
determined by the number of decays per
second. [1]
If the opportunity for the decay
constant called paluruhan (symbol ),
then the activity of the material depends
on a lot of radioactive nuclei in the
material (N) and . Mathematically
written:
I=N

(1)

decay constants have

different prices for different core but
constant over time. The more cores
decays per unit time, the greater A.
Mathematically expressed by
I = - dN / dt

(2)

We give a negative sign because

neutrons decreases with time, while we
want a positive precious atoms.

Under the law of radioactive

decay
N = N0e-t

(3)

The number of the parent

nucleus in a sample decreases
exponentially with time. We can not
measure the amount of radioactive
neutron core, but we can express the
equation of activity, namely the second
menggalikan ruasnya with so as to
provide
N = N0e- t

(4)

in order to obtain radioactive

activity
It = I0e- t

(5)

Where It = activity of a
radioactive substance with a barrier, I0 =
the activity of radioactive substances
without a barrier, t = thick barrier
material, and = coefficient of
permeability materials. [1]

EXPERIMENT METHOD
This experiment aims to
investigate the characteristics of the
emission
of
radioactivity
some
radioactive substances with radioactive
sources (, , and ), investigate and
compare the beam penetrating power ,
, and .
The tools used to perform these
experiments are: Geiger-Muller tube
(GM), Ratemeter, Computer, radioactive
sources, sample holder, a number of
absorbent material (lead / lead / Pb) with
different thickness, calipers, micrometer
screw danserta. Before using the tools of
experimental investigation of the
activity of a radioactive substance, it
should be noted that the operational
voltage GM detector will be used so that

it can work well. This tool working

voltage can be selected in the voltage
range of the plateau region in the range
of 400 volts - 900 volts. So that the
detector is working properly and safely,
it would have been a working voltage of
500 volts or 25% below the plateau
around the region.
Furthermore, prior to the
experiment, the entire device (GM tube,
ratemeter, and computer) is checked
whether it has been properly connected
to each other, then activate the radiation
detection program on the computer, set
the voltage at which the program has
been provided with a voltage of 900
volts. Have everything filled in the
program are available now ratemeter
ready to count the results of the GM
tube detection and display the data of the
reading on a computer monitor. So as to
measure the two activities in this
experiment.
In the first activity, get to know
the activity of radioactive substances
carried by putting one of the radioactive
source in the sample rack alternately on
the third shelf from the GM tube. Next,
click on the experiment and select
pateau to fill chopped diiginkan, ie
voltage up to 1100 and the number of
the desired data that is equal to 21 data
and 30 second later radioactive
substance detector is ready to run,. Then
repeat the activity by replacing the
radiation source and the detector will
stop on its own at the time of the voltage
up to 1100 volts then the data is ready to
be saved by clicking on the file select
Save As.
In the second activity, in
addition to using radioactive sources
(alpha, beta and gamma), also used
barrier materials lead / lead / Pb. choose
barrier materials are available ranging
from the most thin and placed in
position 1 rack sample by measuring its
thickness. Then click Experiment select
half ligh to start chopping and then fill
out a voltage of 900 and the number of

Average CPS LN (It/Io)

desired data at 6 data. Then OK, the

detector is ready for use. Doing these
activities as much as three times by
replacing the radiation source and the
type of barrier with different
thicknesses. Detector will stop itself
after the amount of data that is desired
and predetermined voltage accordingly.
Indicators that the measurement has
been completed ie flaring lights stop
lights besides count on ratter, after the
data is saved aces.
Barrier material is intended to
tell the difference permeability of
radioactive sources used.

-7.60
-7.65
-7.70
-7.75

-7.40
-7.450.000
-7.50
-7.55
-7.60
-7.65
-7.70
-7.75
-7.80
-7.85
-7.90

1.000

2.000

3.000

4.000

y = 0.1817x - 7.9931
R = 0.943

Thickness Barier of Aluminium (m)

FIGURE 3. Graph of relation between

barrier thickness (Al) and cps means
from radiation.

80
60
40
20
0
Alfa ()

Beta () Gamma ()

FIGURE 1. Graph of relation between

cps means and cps maximum from
background radiation, , , and .

Activity 2. To measure penetrability of

(, , and radiation.

Average cps Ln(It/Io)

Average CPS

100

-7.55

FIGURE 2. Graph of relation between

barrier thickness (Lead) and cps means
from radiation.

The Graph Relationship

Between Alfa, Beta, Gamma
with Average CPS

8.000

Thickness Barier Lead (mm)

Average CPS Ln()It/Io

Activity 1. Recognize the activity of

radioactive.

-7.50

2.000
4.000
6.000
y = 0.0229x - 7.6574
R = 0.2156

-7.80

EXPERIMENT RESULT AND

DATA ANALYSIS
Experiment Result
Based on experiment, we got the
result below:

-7.40
-7.450.000

-7.4
0.000
-7.5

2.000

4.000

6.000

8.000

-7.6
-7.7
-7.8
-7.9
-8

y = -0.0402x - 7.5616
R = 0.3474

Thickness of Lead

FIGURE 4. Graph of relation between

barrier thickness (Lead) and cps means
from radiation.

Average cps LN(It/Io)

0
-10.000

1.000

2.000

3.000

4.000

-2
-3

Where, = m. So, the value of

can write like this :
Alpha (Lead)
= 0.0229 where R2= 0.2156
So,
KR = 1- R2
= 1 0,1257
= 0.7844

= (1 2 )

-4
-5
-6

y = -1.3072x - 2.9079
R = 0.9555

-7
-8

Thick of Aluminium

FIGURE 5. Graph of relation between

barrier thickness (Al) and cps means
from radiation.

Avergae cps Ln(It/Io)

-7.85
-7.90.000

2.000

4.000

6.000

= (1-R2)
= (1-0,2156) 0,0229
= 0,01
8.000

-7.95
-8
-8.1
-8.15
-8.2
-8.3

PF = | | = |0.020.01|
Alpha (Al)
= 0.1817, 2 = 7.9931
So,
KR = 1- R2
= 1 0,79931
= 0.20069

= (1 2 )

-8.05

y = -0.0595x - 7.8308
R = 0.9233

-8.25

Y= mx + c
Y= x + c

Thickness of Lead

FIGURE 6. Graph of relation between

barrier thickness (Lead) and cps means
from radiation.

= (1-R2)
= (1-7.9931) 0,1817
= -1.2706

Average cps Ln(It/Io)

PF = | | = |0.181.27|
-7.76
0.000
-7.78

1.000

2.000

3.000

4.000

-7.8
-7.82
-7.84
-7.86
-7.88

y = -0.0374x - 7.7502
R = 0.9224

Thickness of Al

FIGURE 7. Graph of relation between

barrier thickness (Al) and cps means
from radiation.
The value of for each
materials thickness based on each graphs
are:

Beta (Lead)
= 0.0402, 2 = 7.5616
So,
KR = 1- R2
= 1 7.5616
= -6.5616

= (1 2 )

= (1-R2)
= (-6.5616) 0.0402
= -0.263
PF = | | = |0.040.26|
Beta (Al)
= 1.3072, 2 = 2.9079
So,

KR = 1- R2
= 1 2.9079
= -1.9079

= (1 2 )

Beta ()

= (1-R2)
= (1-2.9079) -1.3072
= 2.494
Gamma
()

PF = | | = |1.312.5|

51.84
84.64
1.21
9.61
26.01
51.84
84.64

1.1

1.21
9.61
26.01
51.84
84.64

3.1
5.1
7.2
9.2

Gamma (Lead)
= 0.0595, 2 = 7.8308
So,
KR = 1- R2
= 1 7.8308
= -6.8308

= (1 2 )

7.2
9.2
1.1
3.1
5.1
7.2
9.2

1.9
98.50
1.8 152.35
257.37 311.42
94.27 905.93
47.57 1237.30
29.60 1534.46
23.30 1972.11
25.03
10.47
8.07
5.63
4.93

30.29
100.62
209.90
291.86
417.28

Alpha ()
12

= (1-R )
= (1-7.8308) -0.0595
= 0.406
2

Average cps

10

PF = | | = |0.05 0.41|
Gamma (Al)

8
6
4
y = -0.8464x + 7.9105
R = 0.5227

= 0.374, 2 = 7,7502
So,
KR = 1- R2
= 1 7.7502
= -6.7502

= (1 2 )

0
0

10

Distance cm^-2

FIGURE 8. Relationship between cps

average and distance.

= (1-R2)
= (1-7.7502) -0.374
= 2.252

12
y = 10.647x + 1.4305
R = 0.995

Average cps

10

PF = | | = |0.372.25|
3rd Activity: The inverse square law

8
6
4
2

TABLE 1. Analysis on the inverse

square law of source radiation of alpha
(), beta (), and gamma ()
Radiation
Source
Alfa ()

Distance
(D).10^2 cm

1.1
3.1
5.1

Distance
(D)^2.10^4 cm^2

Average
cps

1.21
9.61
26.01

10
2.23
1.6

0
0.00
Average
cps x D^2

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

Distance 1/D^2

FIGURE 9. Relationship between cps

average and one per distance square.
12.43
21.43
41.62

1.00

300.00

10

250.00

200.00

Average cps

Average cps

12

6
4
2

150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00

0
0

-50.00 0

10

Distance 1/D cm^-2

y = -26.167x + 224.92
2
4R = 0.744
6
8

10

Distance (1/D^2)

FIGURE 10. Relationship between cps

average and distance from the source of
the GM tube to source of Alpha in
Logarithmic

FIGURE 13. Relationship between cps

average and distance from the source of
the GM tube to source of Beta in
Logarithmic.

Beta ()

Gamma ()

300.00
200.00

Average cps

Average cps

30.00

100.00
y = -26.167x + 224.92
2
4R = 0.744
6
8

0.00
0

25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
y = -2.2127x + 22.199
R = 0.7439

5.00

10

0.00

-100.00

Distance (D) cm^-2

10

Distance (D) cm^-2

FIGURE 11. Relationship between cps

average and distance from the source of
the GM tube to source of Beta

FIGURE 14. Relationship between cps

average and distance from the source of
the GM tube to source of Gamma

30.00

25.00

Average cps

Average cps

10

20.00

15.00

y = -6.9885x + 6.5378
R = 0.5876

0
0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

Distance (1/D^2)

FIGURE 12. Relationship between cps

average and one per distance square
from the source of the GM tube to
source of Beta

10.00
y = -2.2127x + 22.199
R = 0.7439

5.00
1.00

0.00
0

Distance (D) cm^-2

FIGURE 15. Relationship between cps

average and one per distance square
from the source of the GM tube to
source of Gamma

10

Average cps

30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00

y = -2.2127x + 22.199
R = 0.7439
0

10

Distance (D) cm^-2

FIGURE 16. Relationship between cps

average and distance from the source of
the GM tube to source of Gamma in
Logarithmic
Discussion
Based on the experimental
results of data, the first activity obtained
data showing the activity of radioactive
substances. The results of the analysis
are shown in the graph shows that the
most active rays with maximum decay
that occurs is as much as 179 per
second. While the rays as much as 23
per second and rays as much as 5 per
second.The result obtained is in line
with the theory that the most active beta
rays. Beta rays can reach up to 300 cm
in dry air and can penetrate the skin.
While the activeness alpha rays have the
weakest because it has a large mass. The
air can only penetrate a few centimeters
only and can not penetrate the skin.
Alpha rays can be stopped by a sheet of
plain paper.
Based on the experimental
results in the data on the activities of 2
obtained results of the analysis are
shown in the graph the relationship
between the thickness of the barrier and
the average cps for each beam is used.
The results are illustrated by the graph
shows that gamma rays have the
penetrating power of the most powerful
among the other beam. This is consistent
with the theory, gamma rays penetrating
power does have the most powerful and
only media such as concrete can dismiss
these gamma rays.

Meanwhile, the results can also

be seen the effect of the thickness of the
penetrating power of radiation. Results
obtained that the thickness of the
material is lead and aluminum barrier
against penetrating radiation radioactive
sources showed no significant effect
relationship or because the data
generated value fluctuates, but there are
indications that most of the data
indicated that the thicker the barrier
material, the greater the power
penetrating radiation is characterized by
the average activity of each source.
Data Based on experimental
results, the obtained results of the
analysis of activity 2 shown by the graph
of the average cps with the distance to
the source of the GM tube. In addition,
there were also charts the relationship
between the average cps and inverse
distance squared for each beam is used.
The results are illustrated by the graph
shows that, the inverse square law
applies to only use sources of beta and
gamma radiation, but does not apply to
sources of alpha radiation.
.
CONCLUSION
Based on the experiments it can
be concluded that radioactive rays have
the
characteristic
emission
of
radioactivity varied between sina where
alpha, beta and gamma rays are the most
active beta rays weakest and its activity
is alpha. Meanwhile, if the terms of the
ability permeable, gamma rays have the
penetrating power of the most powerful
among radioactive rays. For the
relationship between the distance of the
source activity radioactive sources and
found that the activity of this source is
inversely proportional to the square of
the distance.
REFERENCES
[1]Beiser, Arthur.1995. Konsep Fisika
Modern. Jakarta: Erlangga.

[2]Subaer, dkk. 2014. Penuntun

Praktikum Eksperimen Fisika I Unit
Laboratorium Fisika Modern Jurusan
Fisika FMIPA UNM.