| Detector | Measures | Best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM tube | Count rate (cpm) | Quick measurements, half-life experiments, detecting all types | Does not measure dose; less efficient for gamma; needs power |
| Film badge | Cumulative dose (mSv) | Worker dose monitoring, identifying radiation types | No real-time reading; must be developed; single use |
| Cloud chamber | Particle tracks | Visualising particle paths, identifying particle type from track shape | Complex setup; not suitable for dose measurement; gamma leaves no track |
This comparison covers Comparing Radiation Detectors within Radiation Detection for GCSE Physics. Revise Radiation Detection in Extra Topics for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 11 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 5 of 12 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Radiation Detection
What instrument is commonly used in school laboratories to detect ionising radiation?
Explain how a Geiger-Muller (GM) tube detects ionising radiation.
Quick recall flashcards
What is count rate?
The number of radioactive decays (or radiation particles) detected per second or minute. Units: counts/second or counts/minute
What does a GM tube measure?
Count rate - the number of radiation particles detected per unit time (usually counts per second or minute)