The study of gamma radiation emitted by natural objects in a student laboratory

Laboratory work conducted at the Atomic Physics Workshop of the Physics Department at Novosibirsk State University (NSU) aims to introduce students to the concepts of gamma-ray radioactivity, radiation measurement units, radioactive decay laws, natural gamma radiation sources, and radioactive series. This work is based on using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. During laboratory sessions, students record gamma radiation spectra for background and several natural samples and calibrate the detector energy scale. While processing the experimental data, students identify radioactive series present in the spectra, estimate the radiation dose received during the laboratory work, plot the energy resolution, calculate the electron rest energy, and explain the features of the spectra associated with gamma-ray interaction with a germanium detector. The work is intended for students of natural sciences who have completed an introductory course in quantum mechanics.