Physics Lab Observation Sheet CHARACTERISTICS OF G.M.

COUNTER 2009-2010

PREPARED BY:

Mr. CHARIS ISRAEL ANCHA M.Sc., (Ph.D.)

Asst. Prof. of PHYSICS
Mob. No: +91-9866934653

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Physics Lab Observation Sheet CHARACTERISTICS OF G.M. COUNTER 2009-2010
Exp. No: 6 CHARACTERISTICS OF G.M. COUNTER
Date:

Aim: To study characteristics of G.M. Counting System.

Apparatus: G.M. Tube, G.M. Counter, Digital multimeter, radioactive source.
Formulae:
N 2 − N1 100
1) Slope of the plateau region = × × 100 per 100 V
N av V2 − V1

where V1 and V2 are the voltages at the end points of the plateau region, Nav is
(N1+N2)/2 and N1 and N2 are the Counts corresponding to V1 and V2.

V1 + V2
2) The operating voltage of the G.M. Counter, Vop = Volt
2
Graph:
A graph is plotted for Counts per 20 sec (N) N
against applied Voltage (V). A curve such as shown
in the adjacent figure is obtained. The Threshold N2
Voltage, the limits of the Geiger Plateau and the
Operating Voltage of the G.M. tube are marked. N1

Procedure:
V1 V2
1) The G.M. Counter is connected to the G.M.
tube, which is mounted on a stand (vertical V
mount).
2) The radioactive source is placed in the source holder at a distance of about 5cm from the
G.M. tube.
3) The G.M. Counting system is switched ON and the counter is reset to ZERO.
4) The preset time is set to 20 seconds.
5) The Coarse Voltage is set at around 380 V with the help of Fine Voltage knob and a
digital multimeter.
6) The Counts may not be recorded exactly at the 380 V. The voltage at which the Counts
start recorded is called the Threshold Voltage. This Threshold Voltage is noted.
7) Now pressing the START button the counting for preset time is recorded in steps of 20V
of Coarse Voltage.
8) At every increase in Coarse Voltage, remove the radioactive from the vertical mount and
record the back ground counts.
9) Increasing the Coarse Voltage is stopped when the Count rate suddenly increases. Any
further increase in voltage may damage the G.M. tube. The number of counts starts
decreasing at this point.

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Physics Lab Observation Sheet CHARACTERISTICS OF G.M. COUNTER 2009-2010
Tabular:

Trail. Applied Voltage Background Counts Counts for 20 Sec Corrected Counts
No. V Volt NB N (N-NB)
1. 380
2. 400
3 420
4 440
5 460
6 480
7 500
8 520
9 540
10 560
11 580
12 600
13 620
14 640
15 660
16 680
17 700
18 720
19 740
20 760
21 780
22 800
23 820
24 840
25 860
26 880
27 900
28 920

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Physics Lab Observation Sheet CHARACTERISTICS OF G.M. COUNTER 2009-2010
Precautions:
1) The Coarse Voltage should not be increased when the Count rate suddenly increases
beyond the plateau region.
2) When you switch ON and OFF the Counting system, ensure EHT knob to be at the
minimum position.
3) Ensure that the Counter is reset to zero before starting a fresh count.
4) Do not touch the end window of the G.M. tube.
5) Take out the radioactive source after every reading with the help of fork.
6) Do not hold the radioactive source with fingers directly or put it in the vicinity to the
human body.
Result:
1) Threshold Voltage = ________ V.

2) Slope of the plateau region = ________ per 100 V.

3) Operating Voltage of the G.M. tube = ________ V.

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