how to build a geiger counter / radiation detector from household materials

READ THIS DESCRIPTION for background information, i.e. how this device works at all (see links below)!

ps: technically, this is NOT a geiger counter. a geiger counter is a special type of ion chamber that runs on very high voltages. the device demonstrated in this video is just a very simple ion chamber.


more videos about how ion chambers and radiation detectors in general work:

geiger mueller counter (a special type of ion chamber):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPjBoqvIWKw

scintillation counter (not an ion chamber):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSH2FDh7A4k

radioactive decay modes; alpha and beta radiation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvzqBs3KHAg

radioactive decay modes; gamma radiation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKgATJy865w