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WILSON CHAMBER [1 record]

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Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2015-02-24

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atomic Physics
  • Radiological Physics (Theory and Application)
DEF

A cloud chamber containing air supersaturated with water vapor by sudden expansion, in which rapidly moving nuclear particles such as alpha or beta rays produced ionization tracks by condensation of vapor on the ions produced by the rays.

CONT

Cloud chambers were first developed by Charles T.R. Wilson around 1911 for experiments on the formation of rain clouds. Wilson knew that water vapour condensed around ions, atoms which have become charged by gaining or losing electrons. However, an alpha particle, for example, which had an electric charge, would leave a trail of ions as it passed through a gas. If water vapour condensed on these ions, the track of the alpha particle would become visible as a line of water droplets.

CONT

There are two basic types of cloud chambers in use today; (1) the expansion chamber ... which depends upon expansion of the air, within the chamber, to cool it and thus create a supersaturated atmosphere, and (2) the continuous or diffusion type chamber ..., that creates a supersaturated atmosphere by diffusion of vapor from the warm upper region of the chamber to the cooled bottom of the chamber. In both types, electrically charged ions created by nuclear particles colliding with atoms within the chamber atmosphere, serve as nuclei of condensation.

Key term(s)
  • Wilson chamber
  • cloud chamber of C.T.R. Wilson
  • expansion chamber of C.T.R. Wilson
  • expansion chamber

French

Domaine(s)
  • Physique atomique
  • Physique radiologique et applications
DEF

Chambre à nuage dans laquelle la sursaturation de la vapeur est obtenue pendant un court intervalle de temps par une détente rapide.

Key term(s)
  • chambre à nuage

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Física atómica
  • Física radiológica (Teoría y aplicación)
DEF

Recipiente, a menudo cilíndrico, dotado de una ventana transparente y de un pistón móvil que permite que el vapor de agua en el recipiente se expanda y se condense cuando la presión disminuye al ser desplazado el pistón hacia afuera.

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