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Get Yer Gilbert Atomic On! — Parallax Forums

Get Yer Gilbert Atomic On!

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2013-06-26 17:14 in General Discussion
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360449188161&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Rare, dangerous (?), and collectible.

Radioactive isotopes. Collect 'em all, kiddies!

Includes a free copy of my favorite children's book, "Some Kittens Can Fly".
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Comments

  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,566
    edited 2012-04-09 10:45
    They just don't supply enough radio active material such as americium-241 like they used to. :-)
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2012-04-09 12:01
    Beau Schwabe (Parallax) wrote: »
    They just don't supply enough radio active material such as americium-241 like they used to. :-)

    Beau,
    That is easily obtained from old smoke detectors... Don't ask how I know...Well, I needed something to test my geiger counter...

    Bean
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2012-04-09 12:23
    Fwiw, a Loxon mantle for an Aladdin lamp makes a great gamma ray source for a Geiger counter. (Not really sure why I keep both of these items in the bedroom.) Coleman was pressured into switching to yttrium oxide for its mantles. Being the big dog just makes you a target.
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2012-04-09 13:48
    Years ago I had a scintillator radiation detector (more sensitive than a geiger counter), and it came with a cesium-137 sample -- a little dot on a dollar coin-size pellet -- for some form of calibration. I always thought the detector was wacky because the sample read low. Then I read C-137 has a half life of around 30 years. By the time I got the detector it was easily already 30 years old. So much for science!

    Not quite the same for the U-238 sample in this kit, with a half-life of over 4 billion years. Of the uranium isotopes, U-238 is probably the safest. This is the stuff people used to look for in the 50s.

    -- Gordon
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2012-04-09 14:00
    It's already up over $400. Just listed, 6 days left. Place yer bets on the final price. Might it go over $1000?
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2012-04-09 17:06
    Bean wrote: »
    Beau,
    That is easily obtained from old smoke detectors... Don't ask how I know...Well, I needed something to test my geiger counter...

    Bean

    I have one of those pellets in my tool box. Obtained for the same reason... the salt substitute just wasn't active enough! :-)

    Amanda
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2012-04-09 18:30
    Just keep in mind that Americium is a *very* prodigious alpha emitter. Alpha particles are stopped by paper, but if ingested do serious damage. Always wash hands after touching the disc pulled from a smoke detector. Its decay is actually more energetic than plutonium. Doc Brown has shown us that stuff is B-A-D.

    -- Gordon
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2012-06-04 23:38
    OMG, I just looked back at this. The winning bid was US $2,231.99

    Would be quite a find at a garage or estate sale. Keep your eyes peeled & geiger counters on!
  • NWUpgradesNWUpgrades Posts: 292
    edited 2012-06-07 13:09
    Obviously someone had WAY too much money on their hands!!!!!
  • NWUpgradesNWUpgrades Posts: 292
    edited 2012-06-07 13:11
    Then again, after looking around, here is one for almost $8K!!!! http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=31568
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-01-01 12:47
    Place yer bets... how high will she go?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110995624592&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2013-01-01 20:29
    And Big Sis has not seized this clear and present danger ? I had a gilbert chem set in the mid60s, had all the fun stuff. Guess we were the last generation allowed to really have fun and learn. Sad when even college profs describe their classes as baking soda and vinegar chemistry because admin is to paraniod to allow the more interesting work. makes you wonder why they bother showing the "arm on fire and other hazards" movie at the start of the semester......
  • ctwardellctwardell Posts: 1,716
    edited 2013-01-01 20:36
    frank freedman wrote: »
    makes you wonder why they bother showing the "arm on fire and other hazards" movie at the start of the semester......

    I had a bad habit of lighting off the gas outlets for the bunsen burners in high school, suprised they let me finish chemistry class.

    C.W.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-01-01 21:24
    ctwardell wrote: »
    I had a bad habit of lighting off the gas outlets for the bunsen burners in high school....

    In the depths of winter, my high school chemistry teacher used to warm up our room in the morning by doing that. We also did experiments with mercury, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, nitric acid, etc, all without the benefit of rubber gloves or ventilation systems. Those were the days.

    boychemset.jpg
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2013-01-02 03:21
    ElectricAye,

    Oh my God, you have just reminded me. Back in school, when I was about 13, we had a 250cc ceramic jar of mercury. For whatever reason it was to be moved from the Science block all the way across school. No Problem, the science master instructs me to take it there. So as to avoid it getting dropped and broken he carefully stuffs the jar into the pocket of my school blazer and tells me not to take it out until I arrive at the destination. Off I go through the melee of hooligans that was the school yard at lunch time.

    As far as I recall the mercury made it to the destination intact. Today that would call for a hazmat team and a serious enquiry into safety at the school...

    At least I had fun trying to glass blow my own mercury switch.
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2013-01-02 07:07
    Not to mention you would have been permanently expelled for life, your image on the news for as long as it took for the next "event"to materialize, your parents relatives and friends all having their sanity and judgment questioned, the (union protected) teacher would have been re-educated, reassigned an promoted to administration. The school would have been raized in case any other substances were present and a new facility constructed on the same site years after sucking down all possible public funds for "cleanup".
    Heater. wrote: »
    ElectricAye,

    Oh my God, you have just reminded me. Back in school, when I was about 13, we had a 250cc ceramic jar of mercury. For whatever reason it was to be moved from the Science block all the way across school. No Problem, the science master instructs me to take it there. So as to avoid it getting dropped and broken he carefully stuffs the jar into the pocket of my school blazer and tells me not to take it out until I arrive at the destination. Off I go through the melee of hooligans that was the school yard at lunch time.

    As far as I recall the mercury made it to the destination in tact. Today that would call for a hazmat team and a serious enquiry into safety at the school...

    At least I had fun trying to glass blow my own mercury switch.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2013-01-02 08:45
    Frank,
    ...permanently expelled for life...
    Life would have been understandable but "permanently" seems a bit harsh:)

    My old school was a bit of a strange place. Couple of guys digging in the school garden unearthed two elephant skulls. No bones just the skulls. No one ever had the slightest clue how they came to be there or how long they had been there. I mean, elephants in the south of England, wtf?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-01-02 09:51
    $910, reserve not met yet. :)http://www.ebay.com/itm/GILBERT-U-238-ATOMIC-ENERGY-LAB-/110995624592?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D4595348890952245338%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D110942422752%26

    I'm betting this will fetch upwards of $1500, now that stocks are surging thanks to our "miracle-working Congressmen" (gimme a break) have averted the fiscal cliff...
  • ctwardellctwardell Posts: 1,716
    edited 2013-01-02 10:32
    erco wrote: »
    $910, reserve not met yet. :)http://www.ebay.com/itm/GILBERT-U-238-ATOMIC-ENERGY-LAB-/110995624592?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D4595348890952245338%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D110942422752%26

    I'm betting this will fetch upwards of $1500, now that stocks are surging thanks to our "miracle-working Congressmen" (gimme a break) have averted the fiscal cliff...

    Hey now, be nice, putting on political theatre is hard work. Come to think of it, the SAG should work at getting those 535 actors into the union.

    C.W.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-01-02 12:03
    Heater. wrote: »
    ...Couple of guys digging in the school garden unearthed two elephant skulls. ... I mean, elephants in the south of England, wtf?

    Those wouldn't have been mammoth skulls would they?

    WoolyMammoth.jpg
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2013-01-02 12:31
    Mammoths, was a speculation. I gave them a good look over and thought they looked a bit small for mammoths, but do I really know how big a mammoth skull should be? Odd things were:
    1) Two of these skulls found close together.
    2) Quite near the surface. They were discovered by kids digging a garden after all.
    3) No tusks around.
    4) No other bones around.
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2013-01-02 12:40
    See? No gloves, no goggles. Just plain naked learning where nothing gets in the way of science. And nothing can go rong!!!!
    ElectricAye wrote: »
    In the depths of winter, my high school chemistry teacher used to warm up our room in the morning by doing that. We also did experiments with mercury, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, nitric acid, etc, all without the benefit of rubber gloves or ventilation systems. Those were the days.

    boychemset.jpg
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2013-01-02 12:42
    ctwardell wrote: »
    Hey now, be nice, putting on political theatre is hard work. Come to think of it, the SAG should work at getting those 535 actors into the union.

    C.W.


    Nah, they voted to exempt themselves from any and all SAG or other union representation.......
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-06-24 15:47
    Another one available on Ebay. Won't last at just $1595 BIN !

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gilbert-U-238-Atomic-Energy-Lab-Original-1952-/321149327896?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item4ac5fdda18#ht_2163wt_917
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2013-06-24 19:23
    Something nookyooler for U?

    radiumsuppositories_zps360d81f8.jpg
    radiumsuppositories_zps360d81f8.jpg
    450 x 324 - 22K
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2013-06-24 19:46
    Does clicking the Ebay link put you on the NSA watch list? :):) (or just ordering it?)

    Jeff
  • pmrobertpmrobert Posts: 675
    edited 2013-06-25 08:19
    Referencing "NSA" in a post gets you on the NSA list. A while ago I got to visit the "extra special" TSA room due to the Quickstart in my computer bag - doesn't take much!
  • Too_Many_ToolsToo_Many_Tools Posts: 765
    edited 2013-06-25 11:59
    LOL...yeah those were the days.

    Wish that kit was offered today.

    What are the sources of radioactive stuff available today?
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2013-06-25 13:21
    Too_Many_Tools wrote: »
    LOL...yeah those were the days.

    Wish that kit was offered today.

    What are the sources of radioactive stuff available today?

    Smoke Detectors

    From WIKI:
    [h=3]IonizationURL="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smoke_detector&action=edit&section=4"]edit[/URL[/h]
    250px-Americium-241.jpg
    magnify-clip.png
    An Americium container from a smoke detector.

    An ionization smoke detector uses a radioisotope such as americium-241 to produce ionization in air; a difference due to smoke is detected and an alarm is generated. Ionization detectors are more sensitive to the flaming stage of fires than optical detectors, while optical detectors are more sensitive to fires in the early smouldering stage.[3]
    The radioactive isotope americium-241 in the smoke detector emits ionizing radiation in the form of alpha particles into an ionization chamber (which is open to the air) and a sealed reference chamber. The air molecules in the chamber become ionized and these ions allow the passage of a small electric current between charged electrodes placed in the chamber. If any smoke particles pass into the chamber the ions will attach to the particles and so will be less able to carry the current. An electronic circuit detects the current drop, and sounds the alarm. The reference chamber cancels effects due to air pressure, temperature, or the aging of the source. [4] Other parts of the circuitry monitor the battery (where used) and sound an intermittent warning when the battery nears exhaustion. A self-test circuit simulates an imbalance in the ionization chamber and verifies the function of power supply, electronics, and alarm device. The standby power draw of an ionization smoke detector is so low that a small battery can provide power for months or years, making the unit independent of AC power supply or external wiring; however, batteries require regular test and replacement.
    An ionization type smoke detector is generally cheaper to manufacture than an optical smoke detector; however, it is sometimes rejected because it is more prone to false (nuisance) alarms than photoelectric smoke detectors.[5][6] It can detect particles of smoke that are too small to be visible.
    Americium-241, an alpha emitter, has a half-life of 432 years. Alpha radiation, as opposed to beta and gamma, is used for two additional reasons: Alpha particles have high ionization, so sufficient air particles will be ionized for the current to exist, and they have low penetrative power, meaning they will be stopped by the plastic of the smoke detector or the air. About one percent of the emitted radioactive energy of 241Am is gamma radiation. The amount of elemental americium-241 is small enough to be exempt from the regulations applied to larger sources. It includes about 37 kBq or 1 µCi of radioactive element americium-241 (241Am), corresponding to about 0.3 µg of the isotope. [7][8] This provides sufficient ion current to detect smoke, while producing a very low level of radiation outside the device. The presence of americium-241 means that every decommissioned smoke detector must be properly disposed of lest it constitute an environmental hazard.[9] Some European countriesI][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_words"]which?[/URL][/I have banned the use of domestic ionic smoke alarms.[10]
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-06-25 13:26
    Too_Many_Tools wrote: »
    ...
    What are the sources of radioactive stuff available today?

    sushi

    5598898682_24819d35c6.jpg

    http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/05/28/how-fukushima-may-show-up-in-your-sushi/
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