BRAINCAKEGeiger Tube
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. As ionising radiation passes through the tube ions are created and discharged at the electrodes. The ions create more ions so in a short time many ions are created. A voltage pulse across the circuit is recorded as a single count.
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Key terms in this lesson
- background radiation
- Ionising radiation present in the environment at all times, from sources such as cosmic rays, rocks and radon gas.
More in Radioactivity
- Rutherford's α-Particle Scattering Experiment.
- Rutherford's Interpretation
- Radioactivity
- Radioactivity Observations
- The nature of α, β and γ Radiation.
- Gamma radiation
- Radioactive Change
- The Dangers of Radioactivity
All 25 lessons in Radioactivity · All Edexcel A-level Physics topics