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Glite Dictionary
Geiger-Muller tube

Geiger-Muller tube

5.7
A thin tube inside a Geiger counter that detects radiation
  • noun
  • /ˈɡaɪɡər ˈmʌlər tuːb/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tubo Geiger-Muller
  • A faulty Geiger-Muller tube can cause inaccurate readings when measuring radioactivity levels.

Examples

  • The Geiger-Muller tube is the essential component that makes Geiger counters sensitive to radiation.

  • Technicians replaced the damaged Geiger-Muller tube to restore the laboratory's radiation detector to working order.

  • The Geiger-Muller tube detects radiation levels accurately.

  • Did you see the Geiger-Muller tubes in the lab?

  • A faulty Geiger-Muller tube can cause inaccurate readings when measuring radioactivity levels.

  • Technicians replaced the damaged Geiger-Muller tube to restore the laboratory's radiation detector to working order.

  • The Geiger-Muller tube is the essential component that makes Geiger counters sensitive to radiation.

Synonyms

Geiger tube
vsGeiger-Muller tube
  • Specialized
8.0

A small tube inside a Geiger counter that gives a signal when radiation passes through

is the fuller technical name rather than the shorter common form
counter tube
vsGeiger-Muller tube
  • Specialized
9.1

A device that detects radiation by counting particles in a tube filled with gas

is used generally to detect radiation rather than specifically counting single events
ionization tube
vsGeiger-Muller tube
  • Specialized
8.3

A device that measures radiation by detecting tiny charged particles in a gas tube

is a specialised form used inside a particular counter rather than the general device
ionization chamber
vsGeiger-Muller tube
  • Specialized
7.7

Device that measures radiation that makes charged particles by detecting those particles in a gas

is a narrow, specific form used in one counter rather than a larger enclosure
proportional counter tube
vsGeiger-Muller tube
  • Specialized
8.2

A tube that detects radiation and gives an electrical signal showing how strong the radiation is

is a basic detector that focuses on detection rather than proportional pulse sizing

How Sensitive

scintillation counter
  • Specialized
1 9.0
proportional counter
  • Specialized
7.2
Geiger-Muller counter
  • Specialized
6.9
Geiger-Muller tube
  • Specialized
5.7
ionization chamber
  • Specialized
7.7

Surface Forms

Geiger-Muller tube singular
Geiger-Muller tubes plural

Morphology

Geiger-Muller + tube

The compound is built from a (proper) name plus 'tube', so a learner who knows 'tube' can infer a physical cylindrical object but will not be able to derive the specialized function (an ionization detector) from 'Geiger-Muller' because that is an eponymic technical label not semantically transparent. This yields partial predictability (it’s a type of tube) but not full predictability of its meaning or use, so it is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

The noun Geiger-Muller tube is named after two scientists, Geiger and Muller, and it refers to a simple glass tube that makes a tiny click or spark when a particle of 'radiation' passes through it. Think of a small tube that 'counts' invisible particles by clicking; that's why the name means the part of a device used to 'detect' 'radiation'.