7

The design for a cloud chamber is rather simple, and many factors can be changed without producing different results. There is one curious point that I've stumbled upon, though: The type of alcohol vapor used. I've read about methanol, ethyl alcohol, and isospropyl alcohol.

Will any of these choices produce different particle tracks? The factors I'm considering include the length of time the track exists for before it fades and the clarity of the track (i.e. opacity/transparency relative to the rest of the vapor).

Olek Wojnar
  • 917
  • 1
  • 6
  • 10
HDE 226868
  • 2,485
  • 18
  • 36

1 Answers1

2

The only major difference the alcohol choice will make is the ionization energy. While the ionization energy for Methanol is 10.85 (source), ethanol is 10.62 eV, while Isopropyl is only 10.10 eV. The slight difference will allow for more molecules at the lower potential to be ionized, making for slightly longer trails. However, this shouldn't be a major impact. Design, flammability, corrosion, partial pressures, and other factors would be a bigger consideration.

Mark
  • 5,333
  • 16
  • 47