LEO SZILARD National Physics Competition

FINAL,  1998 Test sheet 2

Round II

Power Engineering Vocational School

Paks, 29 April

Location of radioactive material

2.1. General information

The following appliances are available for the measurements:

- 1 ‘prepared’ candle

- 1 collimator (with lead plate gap)

- 1 Bunsen burner with clamps

- 1 Stopwatch

- 1 30 cm ruler

- 1 fibre tip pen

 

2.2. Assignments

The candle on the table has been confiscated by border guards because it was found that radioactive material is hidden
somewhere within the candle. You are supposed to localise, as accurately as possible and without damaging the candle,
the place of the hidden radioactive material in relation to the datum mark on the candle.

2.3. Advices to the measurements

The radioactive material hidden in the ‘prepared’ candle has a very low activity, thus you need to monitor each position
for a relatively long time.

Make note of the identifier letter of the candle you are testing in the test result sheet to be submitted.

You are requested not to put any other mark onto the candle.

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