Location Map of Accessible Mineral Springs Suitable for a Cloud Chamber

—Utilization of Local Natural Sources for Radiation Education—

Abstract

If radioactive radon gas is contained in spring water, it can be readily taken out of the spring water and used as a teaching material for radiation education. However, there have been no studies on which hot spring waters contain radon gas that can be used as teaching materials. In this report, we collected hot spring water sources scattered around Japan with an aim to confirming whether they could be used as sources of radioactive material for a cloud chamber. Since there has been no location map for readily accessible springs suitable for a radioactive source for cloud chambers, it is important to create a location map due to the dissemination of radiation education. Although it would be convenient to use the hot spring water for the cloud chamber immediately after collecting the water, there are some springs that can be used even several weeks after collecting the water, suggesting that hot springs could indeed be utilized as a convenient and effective radioactive source for science teachers to handle.