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Radiation detector is one of the types of instruments that is used for measuring radiation emissions or the level of radiation released from a source. Radiation is a form of energy that is released from a source and travels through space at the speed of light. It consists of an electric field and a magnetic field having wave-like properties. It is also known as electromagnetic waves.
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Key Takeaways: Radiation, Radiation Detector, Energy Source, Electromagnetic waves, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Gieger Muller Counter
What is Radiation?
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The transfer of energy in the form of wave particles through space or any material medium is known as radiation. This is also known as electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic Waves
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Types of Radiation
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Radiation is mainly divided into two categories, ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation.
Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation are those rays that can easily remove the electrons that are tightly bound whenever it reacts with the atom situated in the matter itself. This leads to the ionization of the atom. Ionizing radiation is furthermore divided into three types of radiation namely,
- Alpha rays
- Beta rays
- Gamma rays
This is very harmful to the human body as it results in the damaging of DNA.
Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation
Non-ionizing Radiation
Non-Ionizing radiation is a type of radiation that produces severe heat and results in burning. They are not able to cause ionization. Ultraviolet rays, infrared, radio waves, microwave, and thermal radiation are the types of non-ionizing radiation.
Radiation Detector
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Radiation detector is a device used to measure the ionization of different forms of radiation like alpha, beta, gamma, infrared, etc. They are used to identify those particles produced by cosmic radiation and nuclear decay. As radiations are in the form of energy which we can’t see, smell or taste, we use the radiation detector to detect the presence of ionizing radiation in the matter.
Radiation Detector
Evolution of Radiation Detector
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In olden days, photographic plates were used as a detector to detect the tracks left when the nuclear interaction happened. The plates were placed in the radioactive material.
It would form spots when exposed to radiation. After that, the sub-nuclear particles were invented by using cloud chambers. There was a need for photographic recordings to be done.
Thereafter various types of detectors were invented. Electroscope was another detector invented in those days. It would consist of a pair of gold leaves which was responsible for the charge by the ionization produced by the radiation. It was used as a medium to measure the level of radiation in the energy. The arrangements of the device were so fine as it became a valuable detector to identify the alpha and beta particles in the experiments involving radioactivity.
Electroscope
Cloud chambers, electroscopes, and many other early used devices played an important role in forming the basic principles of radiation detectors. It included so many experiments with the development of new kinds of radiation detectors.
Types of Detector
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There are many types of radiation detectors used for framed purposes. They are as follows.
Scintillators
Scintillator is a device used for the detection of the radiation present in the matter. Scintillation means the process of giving off light.
Scintillator
In this process, the materials used in the scintillate are exposed to radiation. The photon radiation meets with the scintillator objects and leads to a sudden flash of light. It means that it has absorbed specific spectroscopic profiles.
Gaseous Ionization Detectors
These are also used to identify the presence of ionized particles in the matter or the radiation. There are some other types of detectors classified into this group namely, Proportional counter and Geiger Mueller (G-M) tubes. They can be differentiated based on the voltage applied to them.
Geiger Muller Counter
Geiger Muller Counter is another type of radiation detector that is used to identify ionizing radiations like alpha rays, beta rays, and gamma rays.
Geiger Muller Counter
They are used for various purposes such as radiation dosimetry, radiological protection, and nuclear industrial works. In 1908, it was first used at the University of Manchester. It became popular due to its low budget and robust sensing element.
Things to Remember
- Radiation is a form of energy that is emitted through a medium having wave-like properties.
- It has both an electric field as well a magnetic field.
- Ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation are the two main types of radiation.
- Ionizing radiation includes alpha, beta, gamma rays, and x- rays whereas non-ionizing consists of ultraviolet rays, infrared, radio waves, etc.
- A radiation Detector is an instrument or device which is used for the ionization of various radiation like alpha, beta, and gamma rays. It is used to detect high-energy particles released by nuclear decay or cosmic radiation.
- Geiger Counter is a type of radiation detector which is used to identify the ionizing particles in the matter. It is the most affordable device for the measurement of radiations.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Name the part of the electromagnetic spectrum of wavelength 10-2 m and mention its one application. (CBSE 2008) (2 marks)
Ans. Name of the part: Microwave
Applications:
- It is used in radar communication.
- It is used in microwave ovens.
- It is also used in the analysis of fine details of molecular and atomic structure.
Ques. Arrange the following electromagnetic radiations in ascending order of their frequencies:
(i) Microwave
(ii) Radiowave
(iii) X-rays
(iv) Gamma rays
Write two uses of any one of these. (CBSE 2009) (2 marks)
Ans. In ascending order of their frequencies :
Radiowave < Microwave < X-rays < Gamma rays.
Two uses of microwaves are :
- In microwave ovens.
- In aircraft navigation.
Ques. How are infrared waves produced? Why are these referred to as ‘heat waves’? Write their one important use. (CBSE 2009) (2 marks)
Ans. Infrared rays are produced by hot bodies and molecules. This may involve vibration and bending of molecules. Infrared bands lie adjacent to the low-frequency or long-wavelength end of the visible spectrum. Infrared waves are sometimes referred to as heatwaves.
Use: Infrared rays are used to take photographs in darkness. These are also used to study secret writing. They are also used in physical therapy.
Ques. When an ideal capacitor is charged by a dc battery, no current flows. However, when an ac source is used, the current flows continuously. How does one explain this, based on the concept of displacement current? (CBSE 2012) (2 marks)
Ans. A dc battery connected to an ideal capacitor ‘ provides only a momentarily charge, whereas an ac battery allows a continuous flow of current
As the charge on capacitor plates changes, the electric field associated with that also changes and hence giving rise to a displacement current according to,
Ques. What is radiation? (2 marks)
Ans. Radiation is a form of energy that travels through space in the form of waves and particles.It is known as electromagnetic waves. This includes an electric field as well as a magnetic field.This has a wave-like properties. It is absorbed by the substances while travelling from one medium to another.
Ques. What do you mean by radiation detector? (2 marks)
Ans. Radiation detector is a kind of instrument which is used to identify the particles of energy. Those particles produced by nuclear decay, cosmic radiation, etc., are used for the ionization of different particles of alpha rays, beta rays and gamma rays. As the rays are harmful, we use a radiation detector to measure the level of radiation in a particular matter.
Ques. What are the main types of radiation detector? (2 marks)
Ans. There are many detectors present for experimental purposes. They are given below.
- Gas Ionization Detector is used to measure the electric current produced by radiation between electrodes in a chamber filled with gas. They only can measure the high energy radiation because of its low bias voltage.
- Scintillation is the process of flashing of light which is produced when the substance is absorbed by any kind of radioactive material.
- Semiconductor Detector is an instrument used to measure the effect of incident charged particles. It is widely used in X-ray spectrometry, radiation protection and many more.
Ques. What is a Geiger Counter? (2 marks)
Ans. This is an instrument which is used for the identification of ionizing radiation. The other name for this is Geiger-Muller Counter. This can be used for various purposes like in radiation dosimetry, nuclear industry and radiological protection. This device detects ionizing radiation in alpha particles, beta and gamma particles.
Ques. Which types of problems arise due to radiation? (2 marks)
Ans. Radiation is very harmful to human beings. It can cause acute long term health problems like skin cancer and burns. If the exposure to this harmful radiation exceeds the threshold limit, the affected person may even die.
Ques. Why is radiation dangerous for us? (2 marks)
Ans. Radiation is a form of high energy which causes damage to the cell in the body. The low levels of radiation don’t have that much of an effect on the human body whereas high levels of radiation result in various health-related problems. It can even cause death and damage to internal organs of the human body.
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