If I wanted to detect slight changes in cosmic radiation using a Geiger Muller counter would it be best to measure, alpha, beta, gamma or X-ray radiation?
2007-01-05 09:15:23 · 2 answers · asked by ivorytowerboy 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I'm interested in variations in sea-level background radiation that arise from geomagnetic variaions.
2007-01-05 09:33:52 · update #1
If you are looking for that radiation, alpha and beta would stop existing within metres from their source so you would not be able to detect any from space. Gamma goes much further than the other two but you would find it hard to distinguish any of the other three from earth bound objects. Geiger-Muller counter will not detect X-rays so would also be useless. X-rays also cannot penetrate our atmosphere, so you would need a satelite.
The best radiation is electromagnetic (like X-rays) and in particular Microwaves. You wouldn't use a Geiger-Muller tube but a telescpoe of Satelite dish. The cosmic background radiation from the Big Bang is in microwave form. You would need highly sensitive equipment too.
Visible light is also a good radiation to detect and all you need is a pair of eyes.
2007-01-05 09:25:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the 1 with the highest frequency i think its x ray
2007-01-05 09:19:17 · answer #2 · answered by well thts it...... 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋