GEIGER COUNTER Meaning and
Definition
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A Geiger counter is an electronic radiation detection instrument used to measure and detect the presence and intensity of ionizing radiation. It derives its name from the German physicist Hans Geiger, who invented this device in the early 20th century.
The Geiger counter consists of a gas-filled radiation detector housed within a handheld, portable device. The detector contains a thin tube filled with an inert gas, such as helium or neon, and a metal wire electrode held at a high voltage. When ionizing radiation, such as alpha or beta particles, or gamma rays, interacts with the gas, it ionizes the atoms within the gas. This ionization creates a brief electrical current which is then detected and amplified by the instrument's electronics.
The Geiger counter translates the detected ionization into audible clicks or, more commonly, visible indications on a display screen. Each click or indication corresponds to a radiation event detected by the instrument. By counting the frequency or rate of these events, the Geiger counter can provide an approximate measurement of the radiation intensity in counts per minute (CPM) or counts per second (CPS). Some more advanced Geiger counters can also measure the accumulated dose of radiation over time.
Geiger counters are widely used in various industries and applications, including nuclear power plants, laboratories, environmental monitoring, and emergency response to radioactive incidents. They are valuable tools for detecting and monitoring radiation levels to ensure the safety of personnel and the environment.
Common Misspellings for GEIGER COUNTER
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Etymology of GEIGER COUNTER
The word "Geiger Counter" is named after its inventor, Hans Geiger.
Hans Geiger, a German physicist, alongside Walther Müller, developed the Geiger-Müller tube in the early 20th century. The device, which is the main component of a Geiger Counter, is used to measure ionizing radiation. It consists of a gas-filled tube with a wire electrode in the center. When radiation passes through the tube, it ionizes the gas and creates an electrical current that can be detected and measured.
After the development of the device, it became widely known as the Geiger-Müller tube. However, over time, the name was shortened to just "Geiger tube" or "Geiger-Müller tube". The device that utilized this tube to measure radiation levels was then named the Geiger Counter, paying tribute to Hans Geiger's significant contribution to its invention.
Similar spelling words for GEIGER COUNTER
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