The impact of a cloud chamber demonstration on lay people’s conceptions of ionizing radiation

Abstract This study explored (mis)conceptions of ionizing radiation by using cloud chambers among four lay public groups: lower secondary school students, upper secondary school students, primary teacher students, and shopping mall customers. Ionizing radiation was most commonly associated with natural sources such as the Sun, as well as risks like cancer and nuclear accidents. However, widespread misconceptions were evident, including the belief that mobile phones are significant sources of ionizing radiation. Upper secondary school students perceived ionizing radiation as more harmful compared to the lower secondary school students. Shopping mall customers associated ionizing radiation with threats but did not consider it particularly harmful. With a cloud chamber demonstration primary teacher students and shopping mall customers gained insights into the prevalence of ionizing radiation and the relative harmlessness of background radiation, while upper secondary students did not report this takeaway.