But this method could not "see" individual disintegrations. In order to do that, the ionization from a single atom needs to amplified into an electric current that can be detected electronically. A Geiger counter does this by turning a current of a million or so elementary charges into a much larger current; large enough for vacuum tube amplifiers to detect and turn into and audible "click" on a speaker or headphones. | But this method could not "see" individual disintegrations. In order to do that, the ionization from a single atom needs to amplified into an electric current that can be detected electronically. A Geiger counter does this by turning a current of a million or so elementary charges into a much larger current; large enough for vacuum tube amplifiers to detect and turn into and audible "click" on a speaker or headphones. |