The interactions of alpha, beta, and gamma radiations with matter produce

positively charged ions and electrons. Radiation detectors are devices that
measure this ionization and produce an observable output. Early detectors
used photographic plates to detect "tracks" left by nuclear interactions.
1. GEIGER MULLER COUNTER
The counter consists of a tube filled with an inert gas that becomes
conductive of electricity when it is impacted by a high-energy particle.
When a Geiger counter is exposed to ionizing radiation, the particles
penetrate the tube and collide with the gas, releasing more electrons.
Positive ions exit the tube and the negatively charged electrons become
attracted to a high-voltage middle wire.
It can detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation although it cannot
distinguish between them. Because of this and other limitations, it is best
used for demonstrations or for radiation environments where only a rough
estimate of the amount of radioactivity is needed
This instrument is limited by its ineffectiveness for detecting lower energy
beta and gamma emitters
NOTE: Radioactivity can be measured in order to discover the amount of
radiation a material emits or the amount of radiation absorbed by a human
or mammal. The unit for measuring radioactive emissions is the Becquerel
(Bq). The Bq indicates the number of decays per second.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS
A nuclear reaction is a process in which atoms collide with other atoms
and lose some of their original mass. Because of the principle of energy
conservation the lost mass must reappear as generated energy, according
to Einstein's equation E = mc².
The two types of nuclear reactions used to produce energy are fission and
fusion.

In a fission reaction, a heavy atomic nucleus is split into smaller nuclei,

other particles and radiation. In a typical reaction, an atom of uranium 235
absorbs a neutron and splits into two lighter atoms, barium and krypton,
emitting radiation and neutrons. Under special circumstances (the
attainment of a "critical mass") the emitted neutrons can split further
atoms, which in turn bring about more splitting, producing a very fast
chain reaction. Nuclear power plants exploit the process of fission to
create energy.
In a fusion reaction, two or more light atomic nuclei fuse to form a single
heavier nucleus. The mass change in the process is the source of nuclear
energy. Fusion within the cores of the sun and other stars generates their
radiating energy by fusing two hydrogen atoms to produce a helium atom.
The fusion of deuterium with tritium creates helium-4, frees a remaining
neutron, and releases energy. Because E=MC2, when two atoms are
fused, a very small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount
of energy.
Fusion reactions are accompanied by a much greater mass to energy
conversion than in fission reactions.

Nuclear fusion requires extremely high temperatures. This is because the

small nuclei require enough kinetic energy to overcome their electrostatic
repulsion. The energy we receive from the sun is from nuclear fusion. The
sun is made up mainly of hydrogen and helium. Within the sun the
temperature is millions of degrees Celsius, there is the constant fusion of
small nuclei into larger nuclei.