Device that detects and measures exposure to ionizing radiation is called what?

Device that detects and measures exposure to ionizing radiation is called what?

• A. Dosimeter
• B. Geiger counter
• C. Radiometer
• D. Calorimeter

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is monitoring cumulative exposure to ionizing radiation. A dosimeter is the device designed to detect and measure the amount of ionizing radiation a person has been exposed to, often recording the total dose and sometimes the dose rate over time. This makes it the best choice for tracking occupational radiation safety, with readings that can be reported in units like gray or sievert as appropriate for dose or dose equivalent. Think of why the others aren’t as fitting: a Geiger counter measures how many radiation events occur and how fast, giving a rate of detection rather than an accumulated dose over time; it’s great for surveys but not for long-term dose accounting. A radiometer gauges radiant energy across a range of wavelengths, not specifically the ionizing radiation exposure a person receives. A calorimeter measures energy by heating and is used mainly in physics experiments, not for monitoring human radiation dose in a clinical setting.

The main idea here is monitoring cumulative exposure to ionizing radiation. A dosimeter is the device designed to detect and measure the amount of ionizing radiation a person has been exposed to, often recording the total dose and sometimes the dose rate over time. This makes it the best choice for tracking occupational radiation safety, with readings that can be reported in units like gray or sievert as appropriate for dose or dose equivalent.

Think of why the others aren’t as fitting: a Geiger counter measures how many radiation events occur and how fast, giving a rate of detection rather than an accumulated dose over time; it’s great for surveys but not for long-term dose accounting. A radiometer gauges radiant energy across a range of wavelengths, not specifically the ionizing radiation exposure a person receives. A calorimeter measures energy by heating and is used mainly in physics experiments, not for monitoring human radiation dose in a clinical setting.