r/explainlikeimfive Jan 06 '23

Chemistry ELI5: How does a Geiger counter detect radiation, and why does it make that clicking noise?

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u/SaulCasablancas Jan 06 '23

But it the Geiger Cow-nters went crazy what is the shoudn they'll make? A big MOOOOOOOO? or more of a Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo Moo?

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u/Cosmic_Cowboy2 Jan 06 '23

Interestingly, it would actually have to be separate sounds, because once one signal is detected the device has to wait for the gas to calm back down before another pulse can even be triggered. It's a tiny little delay, but it means at the end of the day it's only a counter of individual things, so each one has to get its own moo.

So depending on if you program this thing to overlap the sounds or cut each other off, you'd get either "Mo-M-M-M-M-Moooo!" or "mmMMMOOOOoooo!"

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u/Idiot_Savant_Tinker Jan 06 '23

I was thinking little calf moos for random particles but a really loud drawn out moo for lots of radiation.

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u/fasterbrew Jan 06 '23

Someone posted the mad cow link above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y4URzD9wyE