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GCSE Physics · key term
The number of detections recorded by a radiation detector during a measured interval.
Used by Edexcel
Specification 6.12 · Paper 1
Revise: Background Radiation DefinitionRemove deliberately placed radioactive sources from the vicinity of the tube, then record the number of counts during a stated period of time. The time is essential because a count of 40 has a different meaning if it was collected in 10 seconds rather than in 100 seconds.
If asked how to determine the background count rate, name the Geiger–Müller tube, remove radioactive sources from its vicinity and record the count over a stated time.
A count alone is incomplete when the question asks for count rate: divide the count by the measurement time and include an appropriate unit.
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