BRAINCAKE

Geiger Tube

AQA A-level PhysicsRadioactivityLesson 5 of 25

A Geiger tube is a sealed metal tube that contains argon gas at low pressure.
Alpha and beta particles and gamma radiation enter the tube through a thin mica window. The tube wall is connected to the negative potential and there is a metal rod in the tube which is connected to the positive terminal.

Diagram

Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz

BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.

Key terms in this lesson

Background radiation
Ionising radiation that is present in the environment at all times, from sources such as rocks, cosmic rays and medical procedures.

More in Radioactivity

All 25 lessons in Radioactivity · All AQA A-level Physics topics