GEIGER TUBE Meaning and
Definition
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A Geiger tube, also known as a Geiger-Muller tube, is a radiation detector device widely used to measure and detect ionizing radiation. It was invented in the early 20th century by the German physicist Hans Geiger and his student Walther Muller. The Geiger tube operates based on the principles of ionization, electrical discharge, and amplification of signals.
This cylindrical device is typically filled with an inert gas such as helium or argon at low pressure. The tube consists of a central anode wire, surrounded by a metal cathode, and a mica or glass window that allows radiation to enter. When ionizing radiation, such as alpha, beta, or gamma particles, passes through the tube, it interacts with the gas atoms within, causing them to become ionized. The resulting free electrons then accelerate towards the anode, creating an electrical current or discharge which can be measured and quantified.
Geiger tubes are commonly utilized in various applications requiring radiation detection, such as environmental monitoring, nuclear power plants, medical facilities, and scientific research. They are particularly effective at detecting high-energy particles while being relatively simple to operate. Geiger-Muller counters are often portable and easy to handle, making them suitable for personal dosimeters in situations where individuals may be exposed to radiation.
Overall, Geiger tubes have revolutionized the field of radiation detection, providing a vital tool for the measurement and monitoring of ionizing radiation with their high sensitivity, efficiency, and ease of use.
Common Misspellings for GEIGER TUBE
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Etymology of GEIGER TUBE
The word "Geiger Tube" is derived from the name of its inventor, Hans Geiger. Hans Wilhelm Geiger was a German physicist who co-invented the Geiger-Muller tube, also known as the Geiger counter. The device, patented in 1928, was developed to detect and measure ionizing radiation. Since Geiger was the primary contributor to its development, the tube came to be known as the Geiger Tube, named after him.
