GEIGER COUNTER

Inventor: J W Geiger, W Müller

  • Invented in 1908
  • The Geiger counter is an instrument that detects and measures the intensity of radiation, such as particles from radioactive material, consisting of a Geiger tube and associated electronic equipment.

The Geiger counter was later replaced by the halogen counter, which became preferred for its longer life and lower operating voltage. Such detectors were and still are of importance for one can see its association with the time of invention of the theory of relativity; the nuclear reaction. The Geiger counter is crucial in that it measures the degree of radiationthe aspect of nuclear reactions that are as, if not more, fearful as the explosion itself.

*Picture from http://www.minresco.com/cdv-700/gcimages/gc01.jpg

Sources:

Wikipedia. Geiger Counter. 9 April 2004. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geiger_counter>

  • This site gives information about how the Geiger counter works and its uses

Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com/Geiger Counter. 9 April 2004. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=geiger+counter&r=67

  • This site gives a good definition of the Geiger counter

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