Blockmeister said:Homework Statement
Detection of radiation by a Geiger-Muller counter depends on what?
a.
the emission of a photon from an excited atom
b.
the ability of an ionized gas to carry an electrical charge
c.
the detection of the sound made by decay particles
d.
the ability of a photomultiplier tube to amplify the electrical signal from a phosphor
e.
the emission of a photon of light by the radioactive particle
I think it is b, but the wording is what throws me off.
A Geiger-Muller Counter is a device used to detect and measure the presence of ionizing radiation. It works by counting the number of electric pulses produced when radiation interacts with a gas-filled chamber inside the device.
The device consists of a tube filled with a gas (usually helium or argon) at a low pressure. Inside the tube, there is a wire anode and a metal cathode, which are kept at a high voltage. When ionizing radiation passes through the tube, it ionizes the gas molecules, causing them to become positively charged. These positive ions then attract electrons from the cathode, producing a pulse of electric current. The counter then amplifies and counts these pulses, which can be used to determine the amount of radiation present.
A Geiger-Muller Counter can detect several types of ionizing radiation, including alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. It can also detect some forms of X-rays.
Geiger-Muller Counters are commonly used in scientific research, nuclear power plants, and medical facilities to measure radiation levels. They are also used in environmental monitoring, such as detecting radiation in soil and water. Additionally, they are used in personal radiation detectors and dosimeters for individuals who work with radioactive materials.
Yes, there are some limitations to using a Geiger-Muller Counter. For example, it cannot differentiate between different types of radiation, and it cannot measure the energy of the radiation. Also, it has a limited range of detection, and it cannot detect very low levels of radiation. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with other radiation detection methods for accurate measurements.