Photo Walk: Five “Radioactive” Places In Amsterdam Worthy Of Visiting

Let’s Combine Some Fun, Science, and History

Radiacode 103G, and the background radiation level, Image by author

Sometimes, ordinary things around us can unveil a deep story. Today I will talk about radiation — this is an interesting topic that combines science, tech, and history.

Probably, if I ask anyone about “radiation,” most people will think about Chernobyl, Fukushima, or the first atomic bombs. However, radioactivity, at small and mostly safe levels, can be found in places where most of us would never expect it. And figuring out its source may reveal an interesting story.

Today, I will invite readers to a virtual photo walk in Amsterdam, and as a scientific tool, I will use a Radiacode 103G radiation detector. I will make a 2,5 km (1,5 mile) route in the city center between the Central Station and the Museum Square, which is the most touristic and busy area:

Image by author

Can we find something intriguing there that is relevant to physics, history, and radiation? Indeed, we can. In this article, I will show five interesting places in the city center that every tourist can visit. As a reference, I will use a background radiation…