Scientists have managed to capture radiation normally invisible to the naked eye, on film, as it’s emitted from uranium 238. A small fragment was place inside a cloud chamber as it decays, with charged alpha particles and electrons condensing alcohol vapor in the box. This produces snowflake-like patterns as they particles are fired outwards. Continue reading for two videos and more information.
These videos were created using a cloud chamber – a sealed container cooled to -40° C containing a vapor of alcohol and a magnetic field. When charged alpha particles pass through the vapor, it creates a mist of condensation to form along its path. The large white trails are left by alpha radiation particle and the smaller less distinct trails are electrons.
