A low quality toy spinthariscope taken from a 1950s Chemcraft brand "Atomic energy" chemistry experimentation setA spinthariscope crafted by Robert Drosten in Belgium in 1905 and used in the University of Mons Faculty of Engineering ("Polytech Mons") at the beginning of the 20th century.[1]
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 Ancient Greek: σπινθήρ (spinthḗr) "spark".[7]
Crookes debuted the spinthariscope at a meeting of the Royal Society, London on 15 May 1903.[8]
Toy spinthariscopesedit
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 (equivalent to $2.05 in 2023).[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.[citation needed]
In museumsedit
The American History Museum of the Smithsonian has several spinthariscopes in its collections, and an article discussing them.[13] However, as of 2022[update] none are currently on display.[14]
Referencesedit
^AXIOCOM.be. "Le spinthariscope, un petit objet à l'histoire étonnante !". MUMONS (in French). Retrieved 2022-01-15.
Elements of electricity: a practical discussion of the fundamental laws and ... by Robert Andrews Millikan, Edwin Sherwood Bishop, American Technical Society
January 01, 1970
spinthariscope, spinthariscope, device, observing, individual, nuclear, disintegrations, caused, interaction, ionizing, radiation, with, phosphor, radioluminescence, scintillator, quality, spinthariscope, taken, from, 1950s, chemcraft, brand, atomic, energy, c. A spinthariscope s p ɪ n ˈ 8 aer ɪ s k oʊ p 2 3 is a device for observing individual nuclear disintegrations caused by the interaction of ionizing radiation with a phosphor see radioluminescence or scintillator A low quality toy spinthariscope taken from a 1950s Chemcraft brand Atomic energy chemistry experimentation set A spinthariscope crafted by Robert Drosten in Belgium in 1905 and used in the University of Mons Faculty of Engineering Polytech Mons at the beginning of the 20th century 1 Contents 1 Invention 2 Toy spinthariscopes 3 In museums 4 References 5 External linksInvention editThe 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 Ancient Greek spin8hr spinthḗr spark 7 Crookes debuted the spinthariscope at a meeting of the Royal Society London on 15 May 1903 8 Toy spinthariscopes editSpinthariscopes 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 equivalent to 2 05 in 2023 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 citation needed In museums editThe American History Museum of the Smithsonian has several spinthariscopes in its collections and an article discussing them 13 However as of 2022 update none are currently on display 14 References edit AXIOCOM be Le spinthariscope un petit objet a l histoire etonnante MUMONS in French Retrieved 2022 01 15 spinthariscope Merriam Webster com Dictionary Retrieved 2022 01 18 Wells John C 2008 Longman Pronunciation Dictionary 3rd ed Longman ISBN 978 1 4058 8118 0 Crookes William 1903 Certain Properties of the Emanations of Radium Chemical News 87 2269 241 Frame Paul W The Crookes Spinthariscope Oak Ridge Associated Universities Retrieved 2 May 2013 Alfred Romer 1960 The Restless Atom The Awakening of Nuclear Physics Anchor Books Retrieved 2 May 2013 Spinthariscopes Santos Lucy Jane 2020 Half Lives The Unlikely History of Radium London Icon Books Ltd ISBN 978 1 78578 608 2 OCLC 1158229829 Bonnier Corporation June 2007 Popular Science The Popular Science Monthly Bonnier Corporation 86 ISSN 0161 7370 Retrieved 2 May 2013 Reif Rita ARTS ARTIFACTS Trivia Long Ago Serious Treasures Now The New York Times 11 June 1995 Miklos Vincze 15 January 2014 The Terrifying Age of Radioactive Toys for Kids via Gizmodo Lone Ranger Atom Bomb Ring Spinthariscope 1947 early 1950s 5 October 2011 via Oak Ridge Associated Universities The Spinthariscope and the Smithsonian Collections Search Results External links editModern spinthariscope Elements of electricity a practical discussion of the fundamental laws and by Robert Andrews Millikan Edwin Sherwood Bishop American Technical Society Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spinthariscope amp oldid 1219985449, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
