Definition of Geiger counter
: an instrument for detecting the presence and intensity of radiations (such as cosmic rays or particles from a radioactive substance) by means of their ionizing effect on an enclosed gas which results in a pulse that is amplified and fed to a device giving a visible or audible indication
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Origin and Etymology of geiger counter
Hans Geiger †1945 German physicist
GEIGER COUNTER Defined for English Language Learners
Geiger counter
playDefinition of Geiger counter for English Language Learners
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: an instrument used for finding and measuring radioactivity
Medical Dictionary
Geiger counter
playMedical Definition of Geiger counter
: an instrument for detecting the presence and intensity of radiations (as cosmic rays or particles from a radioactive substance) by means of the ionizing effect on an enclosed gas which results in a pulse that is amplified and fed to a device giving a visible or audible indication
Biographical Note for geiger counter
Geiger
, Hans (Johannes) Wilhelm
(1882–1945), and Müller
\ˈmue-lər\play , Walther
(flourished 1928), German physicists. Geiger did significant research on atomic theory, radioactivity, and cosmic rays. He developed a number of techniques and instruments for the detection and counting of individual charged particles. With the British physicist Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937), he developed in 1908 the first radiation counter, an instrument that counted alpha particles. With the help of Müller he introduced an improved version of the Geiger counter in 1928. The Geiger-Müller counter marked the introduction of modern electrical devices into radiation research.
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