Radiation Safety Practice Exam

What does the meter section of a RADIAC instrument measure?

1. The temperature of the chamber

2. The voltage applied to the detector

3. The electrical current flowing through the detector circuit

4. The intensity of sound waves

The correct answer is: The electrical current flowing through the detector circuit

The meter section of a RADIAC instrument is designed to measure the electrical current flowing through the detector circuit. This function is crucial because the amount of current is proportional to the ionization events occurring within the detector due to the presence of radiation. As radiation interacts with the detector material, it produces ion pairs, which in turn generate electron production leading to a flow of current. The RADIAC instrument translates this current into a readable value, allowing the user to assess the radiation intensity. In contrast, measuring temperature, voltage, or sound waves falls outside the primary function of a RADIAC instrument. Temperature is not relevant to the actual measurement of radiation exposure, and while voltage plays a role in the operation of electronic circuits, the meter specifically targets the amount of current generated by ionization. Sound waves are entirely unrelated to the function of a RADIAC device, which is fundamentally an instrument designed for detecting and measuring radiation rather than acoustic phenomena.