Radiation Safety Practice Exam

What occurs when an ion pair is created in the detector of a RADIAC instrument?

1. An electrical current is generated

2. The temperature of the gas rises

3. The meter display turns off

4. A chemical reaction occurs

The correct answer is: An electrical current is generated

When an ion pair is created in the detector of a RADIAC instrument, an electrical current is generated. RADIAC instruments, which are used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation, typically operate on the principle of ionization. When radiation interacts with the gas within the detector, it can knock electrons out of gas atoms, creating positively charged ions and free electrons—this process is referred to as ionization. The generated ion pairs can then move under the influence of an electric field present in the detector. The movement of these charged particles results in a measurable electrical current. This current is directly proportional to the amount of radiation that interacted with the detector, allowing the RADIAC instrument to measure the intensity of the radiation present. The other options do not accurately describe the immediate processes or effects resulting from the formation of an ion pair in this context.