are bumper cars safe?

Question

Bumper cars are powered by a charged ceiling and floor. A pole on the bumper car connects these two charged surfaces to give the car current to run. The difference in voltage between the plates is typically around 48 V. The height difference between the ceiling and floor is 10ft. When radon in the ground decays it releases an alpha particle. Assuming the ceiling is negatively charged, the alpha particle could be accelerated towards the celling. It is not good for people to be hit with accelerated alpha particles. Mathematically show if this is something we need to be concerned about.

Please and thank you

Answer 1

Hi Peyton G.,

As you could easily find on the web (for example, at https : / / www.arpansa.gov.au/ understanding-radiation/ what-is-radiation/ionising-radiation /alpha-particles -- remove all spaces from the link before following it ) alpha particles thermally equilibrate after a few cm in air (calculate kinetic energy of thermally eqilibrated alpha.particle). They might then pull electrons from surrounding air molecules -- but so what, air has ions anyway (look up the levels). The 48 V of planar electric field operating over a 10 ft gap is trifling in any event; riders are more likely at risk from the impacts of the cars, which might effect musculo-skeletal or neurological damage. And far less than static charge from sliding down a plastic slide at a playground (1000V +)

--Cheers, -- Mr. d.