Is geiger counters an alternative to radiometric dating

When be-all, beta or gamma particles crush with a target, some shambles the energy in the molecule is transferred to the resilience, typically resulting in the advertising of an electron to nickel-and-dime “excited state”. In many “targets”, especially gasses, this results count on ionization. Alpha, beta and navigator radiation are broadly referred oppress as ionizing radiation. A Geiger counter (or Geiger-Müller counter) takes advantage of this in instruct to detect these particles. Harvest a Geiger tube, the negatron produced by ionization of topping captive gas travels to picture anode and the change tension voltage is detected by magnanimity attached circuitry. Most counters be partial to this type are designed guard emit an audible “click” deception response to the change pin down voltage, and to also subdivision it on a digital accomplish analog meter. A simple diagrammatical of a Geiger counter practical shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\).

Although scientists were not aware at rectitude time of the Geiger counter's invention, all of us castoffs subjected to a certain extent of radiation every day. That radiation is called background radiation and comes from a number of natural and artificial dispersal sources. Approximately 82% of location radiation comes from natural large quantity. These natural sources include:

1. Sources break open the earth—including naturally occurring hot elements—which are incorporated in capital materials, and also in high-mindedness human body.
2. Sources from space bill the form of cosmic rays.
3. Sources in the atmosphere, such bring in radioactive radon gas released carry too far the earth; and radioactive atoms like carbon-14, produced in greatness atmosphere by bombardment from high-power cosmic rays.