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
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.
Descriptors: Computer Peripherals, Printing, Physics, Simulation, Science Experiments, Laboratory Experiments, Laboratory Equipment, Scientific Concepts, Undergraduate Students, Chemistry, Measurement
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