Geiger counter
Clicks near uranium
A Geiger counter is a handheld device that detects and measures ionizing radiation.
It produces audible clicks or beeps when radiation particles pass through its sensor tube—the faster the clicking, the more intense the radiation.
The Geiger counter started clicking wildly as we approached the old uranium mine.
Named for physicist Hans Geiger.
Brief sharp sounds
- cracklingSharp snapping noises
- tickingRhythmic mechanical sound
- readoutDisplayed recorded data
- countsTotals or matters
background · alert · warning · sweep · scanning · monitoring · threshold · spike
Highest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- ionizingProducing charged particles
- radioactivitySpontaneous nuclear decay
decay · radon · cesium · strontium · fallout · radium · thorium · cosmic rays
Element ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- ChernobylSoviet nuclear disaster site
- FukushimaJapanese nuclear accident site
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
fission · atomic · enrichment · radioactive waste · meltdown · fallout · nuclear testing · Trinity
Protecting from harm
- hazmatToxic materials needing precautions
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- protective gearEquipment preventing bodily harm
- lead apronProtective garment blocking X-rays
evacuation · exclusion zone · dosimetry · permissible dose · hot zone
Exposure measurement device
- probeThorough examination or tool
- sensorInput-detecting device
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- electronicsStudy of circuits
anode · cathode · spectrometer · window · gas-filled
clicks
Brief sharp sounds
counts · background · alert · warning · sweep · scanning · monitoring · threshold · spike · signal
gamma rays
Highest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- ionizingProducing charged particles
radioactivity · decay · radon · cesium · strontium · fallout · radium · thorium · cosmic rays · X-rays
uranium
Element ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- ChernobylSoviet nuclear disaster site
- FukushimaJapanese nuclear accident site
reactor · fission · atomic · enrichment · radioactive waste · meltdown · fallout · nuclear testing · Trinity · Manhattan Project
shielding
Protecting from harm
- hazmatToxic materials needing precautions
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- protective gearEquipment preventing bodily harm
lead apron · evacuation · exclusion zone · dosimetry · permissible dose · hot zone
dosimeter
Exposure measurement device
- probeThorough examination or tool
- sensorInput-detecting device
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
electronics · anode · cathode · spectrometer · window · gas-filled
- radioactivityradioactive decay, radioactive isotopes, radioisotopes, radionuclides, half-life
- radiation detectorsdosimeter, radiation badge, TLD, frisker, radon detector
- detectorsmetal detector, smoke detector, motion detector, heat detector, lie detector
- EponymsDarwinian, Alzheimer's disease, Freudian slip, cardigan, Parkinson's disease
- measuring devicesthermometer, barometer, scale, meter stick, yardstick
- Post-Apocalypsewasteland, fallout, survivors, apocalypse, collapse
Geiger counternuclear reactor
Controlled fission energy source
radioisotope · particle accelerator · cyclotron · linear accelerator · nuclear weapon
counter, counting, counted, counters, countered, counterbalance, counterclaim, counteraction, counteractive