Sign In | Sign Up | Help | Invite    
Advanced Search Ask A Question Community Recent Changes
My:             Contributions   
Contributors
{for ul in pageInfo.page}
${ul.nickName}
{var al = toBreakWord(ul.adUrl,18)} {if ul.adSentence !=''}${ul.adSentence}
{/if} {if ul.adUrl !=''}${al}
{/if}
 
{/for}
Earn Free Advertising   +   Earn Money By Writing What You Know at WISTEME.COM
Question Discussion History

Edit
    Question ID:   8886         Current Version: 1
Question: How do we detect radiation?
Category: Science > Physics
Keywords: alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, x-ray, detect, radiation
Type: how
Rating:(0 ratings)    Views: 411    Discussions: 0   In Watch Lists: 1  

 
    Answer:

Although many radioactive materials are silver-colored, metallic solids in their pure state, they can vary in color and exist in different physical states, including liquids and gases. They are also physically indistinguishable from other (nonradioactive) metals. In addition, ionizing radiation is not detectable by one's senses. It cannot be seen, heard, smelled, tasted, or felt. For these reasons, simple visual inspection is insufficient to identify radioactive materials, and radiation sources can be virtually impossible to recognize without special markings. To address these problems, scientists have developed the following four major types of instruments to detect and identify radioactive materials and ionizing radiation:

Personal Radiation Detector (PRD)

A PRD is a wearable gamma and/or neutron radiation detector, approximately the size of a pager. When exposed to elevated radiation levels, the device alarms with flashing lights, tones, and/or vibrations. Most PRDs numerically display the detected radiation intentisty (on a scale of 0 to 9) and, thus, can be used to locate a radiation source; however, they typically are not as sensitive as handheld survey meters and cannot identify the type of radioactive source.

Handheld Survey Meter

As the name implies, the survey meter is a handheld radiation detector, which typically measures the amount of radiation present and provides this information on a numerical display in units of counts per minute, counts per second, or microroentgen (µR) or microrem (µrem) per hour. Most of these devices detect beta and gamma radiation only. However, some models can detect alpha, beta, gamma, and/or neutron radiation emitted from radioactive materials.

One particular meter, known as a teletector, is specifically designed to detect gamma and x-ray radiation. Named for its "telescoping" ability, this device can be extended to about 4 meters (13 feet) to measure very high dose rates without subjecting the user to unnecessary exposure. In addition, these devices typically have the ability to measure dose rates ranging from 0 to 1,000 rad per hour.

Radiation Isotope Identification Device (RIID)

A RIID is a radiation detector with the ability to analyze the energy spectrum of radiation, in order to identify the specific radioactive material (radionuclide) that is emitting the radiation. In addition, these devices can be used as survey instruments to locate radioactive material.

Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM)

An RPM is a large pass-through radiation monitor (or "portal") for personnel, vehicles, container boxes, or trains. Typically, these devices consist of two pillars containing radiation detectors, which are remotely monitored from a display panel. These monitors alarm to indicate the presence of radioactive materials, including low-radiation materials like uranium.

Source: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Read more questions from WISTEME through
     Add to MSN Add to My AOL
 Rate this Question
   Add to Groups   Add to Watch Lists   Share Question
                          
 
    More Readings :
[QID:4165]    What are the basics about gamma rays?  
[QID:5480]    What do I need to know about x-rays?  
[QID:5069]    What shall I know about mammogram?  
[QID:4164]    What are the basics about beta particles?  
[QID:4163]    What are the basics about alpha particles?  
[QID:6040]    What do the words alpha and beta mean for a product version?  
[QID:8451]    What is infrared light?  
[QID:319]    How to protect yourself from the radiation of the computer?  
[QID:5433]    What are the most injuries related to microwave ovens?  
[QID:4172]    What is radiation?  
     Question ID:  ${question.id}         Current Version:  ${question.version}

{for qh in questionHistory} {if qh.status == 'r'} {else} {/if} {/for}
Version Contributor Date (ET) Voting
${qh.version} ${qh.nickName} ${qh.date} Rejected
${qh.version} ${qh.nickName} ${qh.date} {if qh.status != 'c'} {if qh.status == 'a'} Approved {else} {if qh.rstatus == 'c'} On-going {else} Pending {/if} {/if} {else}   {/if}
Start a New Topic
ID Topics Replies Latest Post (ET)
{if dlist!=null} {for d in dlist} {/for}
${parseInt(d_index)+1} ${d.sentence} ${d.replyNum} ${d.lastestDate}
{else}
No discussion topic.
{/if}
Label Name:
 
Group Name:
 
 
{else}
     You have no group.
{/if}
Advertisements
{if advertisements.length > 0} {else} {/if}
{for ad in advertisements}
${ad.adTitle}
${ad.adSentence}
${ad.adUrl}
{/for}

Home | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Browse Questions | RSS Feed

Copyright ©2010 WISTEME LLC. All Rights Reserved.