Question

The typical response of a Geiger-Müller tube is shown below. Explain the shape of this curve.

Short answer

Due to the high movement of the radioactive particles. Thus, this type of curve is formed after the saturation.

Step-by-step solution

Geiger-Muller cylinder.

The Geiger-Muller cylinder or G-M tube is the identifying fraction of the Geiger counter instrument, and its use includes providing familiar evidence of ionizing radiation.

The instrument was named after Hans Geiger and Walther Muller. They made a useful cylinder that could distinguish distinct radiation types.

Shape of the curve of GM Tube

The Geiger-Muller tube worked on high voltage which varies with the particles present inside the tube. In the tube, the ionization of gas was caused by the entry of radioactive radiation.

At the extremely high voltage applied, electrons present inside the tube will undergo ionization and it gets accumulated with many ions at the terminal. Inside a specific voltage run, the ions’ quantity arriving at the terminals is seen as autonomous of applied voltage.

As time continues, the reaction of the tube levels off because of the high movement of the radioactive particles.

Thus, this type of curve is formed after the saturation.