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Geologists through the eras (lemmy.ca)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/geology@lemmy.ca
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[–] 5 points 1 year ago (1 child)

I used to take a uranium sample or 2 into show and tell at school along with a small geiger counter (looked about 1/2 the size of a lunch box with a silver aluminum handle). Everyone would oh and aw when I would move core sample close for the counter and it would make that classic clicking sound.

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  • [–] [S] 5 points 1 year ago

    Even in a vacuum (nothing to absorb gamma), the count would go down as 1/r³ -- so it drops off fast!

    Air doesn't absorb that much more than vacuum, but real materials do, with varying degrees of success. Ironically, one of the best gamma ray absorption materials is... depleted Uranium -- works better than lead, despite that fact that it is itself radioactive ;)

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