Wilson cloud Chamber (1 Viewer)

[thaoroxy2001]

Does anyone have any information onthe Wilson cloud chamber:

What its used for and how it works? cause information I've got is so vague.

 

[acmilan]

In basic terms, its a transparent chamber cooled to very low temperatures that contains alcohol vapour in it and a source of alpha or beta rays.
I dont do chemistry so if im getting something wrong from here on please correct me:
When the rays are emitted they ionise the air molecules and the vapour condenses around this and leaves a track of the path that the ray took. The beta rays track will be less intense but longer while the alpha rays track will be more intense but shorter.

Also refer to here
http://www.boredofstudies.org/community/showthread.php?t=13264

and here
http://www.boredofstudies.org/community/showthread.php?t=8559