What major limitation does a Geiger counter have?

A Geiger counter is a widely used device for detecting ionizing radiation, but it does have some limitations based on its design and function. One major limitation stems from the fact that the response accuracy of a Geiger counter can vary with the energy of the radiation being measured. This means that the readings obtained from a Geiger counter may not reflect the true intensity of the radiation across different energy levels.

For example, low-energy beta particles may not register accurately on a Geiger counter configured primarily for higher-energy radiation, leading to potential underreporting of radiation levels in certain scenarios. Additionally, because the Geiger counter operates on collecting ion pairs created by radiation interactions, different types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma) may interact with the detector in varying ways, affecting the accuracy and reliability of the measurements taken.

Understanding this limitation is critical for those working with radiation detection, as relying solely on a Geiger counter may result in incomplete or inaccurate assessments of radiation exposure, especially if the energy levels of the radiation sources vary significantly.