What kind of radiation does a GM tube measure?

The answer indicating that a GM tube measures only gamma radiation is partially accurate but doesn't fully capture the function of the Geiger-Müller (GM) tube. In reality, a GM tube is capable of detecting and measuring different types of radiation, including alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

The GM tube operates on the principle of ionization, where particles of radiation ionize the gas within the tube, creating electron-ion pairs. When radiation passes through the GM tube, it can interact with the gas, allowing the tube to detect and quantify the radiation intensity based on the number of ionization events.

In the context of the question, while the GM tube does effectively measure gamma radiation, it is also sensitive to alpha and beta radiation depending on the construction of the tube. In many applications, GM tubes are designed to be versatile, allowing for the detection of multiple types of radiation, not just gamma rays alone.

The complete understanding of a GM tube’s capabilities reveals that it is a valuable tool in radiation detection across various environments, whether for safety in nuclear facilities, medical applications, or environmental monitoring.