Question detail
A Geiger-Muller tube measures a count rate of 150 counts per minute. If the background count rate is 30 counts per minute, what is the corrected count rate?
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Question
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Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
A Geiger-Muller tube measures a count rate of 150 counts per minute. If the background count rate is 30 counts per minute, what is the corrected count rate?
Answer
120 counts/min
Explanation
120 counts/min is correct because the worked solution uses corrected count rate = measured count rate - background count rate and substitutes the values from the question. This keeps activity, count rate, atomic number, mass number and neutron count distinct for Atomic structure.
Common mistake
Subtracting Background Count Rate
Students often forget to subtract the background count rate from the measured count rate, leading to inaccurate results.
Always remember to subtract the background count rate from the measured count rate to find the true count rate from the radioactive source.
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