NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1314307
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Sep
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-9120
EISSN: N/A
A 3D-Printed Model Coupled to an Arduino Emulates the Rutherford Scattering Experiment
Calheiro, L. B.; Freitas, W. P. S.; Martins, C. A.; Goncalves, A. M. B.
Physics Education, v56 n5 Article 055003 Sep 2021
We propose an apparatus that emulates the experiment used by Geiger and Marsden in 1913 to investigate alpha particles (Rutherford) scattering. Using a widely available fused deposition modelling 3D-printer, we built a compartmented and easily assembled educational instrument. The whole apparatus is composed of a 3D-printed chamber and an electronic box. The chamber emulates the alpha particle source, the gold or aluminum foil, and the Geiger detector, which permits a real interaction by the students with the experiment simulating the real one. The electronic box has an Arduino board inside, which is responsible for simulating the particle count as a function of the scattering angle. The results obtained for gold and aluminium are similar to those found using a commercial apparatus. This low-cost didactic apparatus can be mimicked or improved from a source archive (both 3D model and Arduino project), which may help spread chemistry and physics concepts in a ludic but effective applied point of view.
IOP Publishing. 190 North Independence Mall West Suite 601, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: ped@ioppublishing.org; Web site: https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0031-9120
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A