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The Geiger-Muller counter is the most widely known instrument for detecting radioactive radiation. Option B is correct: The Geiger-Muller (GM) counter, invented by Hans Geiger and Walther Müller in 1928, detects ionizing radiation including alpha, beta, and gamma particles. It works on the principle of gas ionization: radiation entering the tube ionizes the gas inside, producing an electrical pulse that is counted. Each click or pulse represents a detected particle. It is used in nuclear physics labs, hospitals, and for monitoring radiation in nuclear power plants. Option A is incorrect: A cyclotron is a particle accelerator, not a radiation detector. It uses magnetic and electric fields to accelerate charged particles to high speeds for use in nuclear reactions and medical applications. Option C is incorrect: A spectrometer is used to analyze the spectrum of light or radiation; it separates radiation by wavelength or energy, but it is not primarily used for counting radioactive particles. Option D is incorrect: An oscilloscope is an electronic instrument that displays electrical waveforms on a screen. It is used in electronics for measuring voltage signals, not for detecting radioactive radiation.
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