A. Preliminaries

1.  Open the Worksheet and fill in the header information.

2.  The radiation monitor is pre-mounted on the stand. Turn the monitor on and make sure the scale switch is set to X1.

3.  Open the Background Counts link.

4.  With all samples removed, measure the background radiation by clicking on Collect in the LoggerPro window. Wait for a number to appear in the meter window (this will take 5 minutes). Record this count in cell D10 and click Stop.

5.  Divide the above count by five to get the counting rate per minute. Enter the value in cell D12.

B. Effect of absorber thickness

1.  Open the Counts_Shielding link. In the dialog box, select Don't Save. Place the source in tray level #2.

2.  With no absorber between the source and the detector, click Collect and wait for a number to appear in the meter window (this will take one minute). Record this value in the first row of the Table at cells A18:D34 and click on Stop.

3.  Place the thinnest aluminum absorber in tray level #1 between the source and the detector. Click Collect and record the number in the second row of the Table. Record the value in the thickness column of the Table (1 mil = 0.001 in = 0.0254 mm).

4.  Replace the absorber with increasingly thicker aluminum absorbers, one at a time, until you have measured the entire set. Each time, make a one minute run and record the resulting count value in the Table as well as the thickness.

5.  Finally, place the thinnest lead absorber between the source and the detector and make a one minute run. Record this value.

C. Effect of source distance

1.  Record the type of source that you are using in cell D49.

2.  Open the Counts Distance link. In the dialog box, select Don't Save.

3.  Place the source on tray level #1 and and click Collect and wait for a number to appear in the meter window (this will take 5 minutes). Record this value in the first row of the Table at D57:E62.

4.  Move the source to levels #2 through #6, and record the values in the Table at D57:E62.

5.  Measure the distance in millimeters from the detector to levels #1 through #6, and record the values in the Table at cells D57:E62. Do this at the edge of the tray holder.