What is the difference between a dosimeter and a survey meter?

What is the difference between a dosimeter and a survey meter?

• A. A dosimeter measures ambient radiation dose rate; a survey meter measures cumulative dose to an individual.
• B. A dosimeter measures cumulative dose to an individual over time; a survey meter measures the ambient radiation field to identify sources and estimate exposure in an area.
• C. Both measure the same thing.
• D. A survey meter measures exposure time; a dosimeter measures energy.

Answer: (B)

A dosimeter and a survey meter serve personal vs area monitoring. A dosimeter goes with the worker and records the dose that individual accumulates over time, providing a cumulative personal exposure record used for safety limits and compliance. A survey meter is a handheld instrument used to assess the radiation present in the environment, giving real-time dose-rate readings and helping locate sources or hotspots to estimate potential exposure in that area. So the dosimeter tracks what one person has actually received, while the survey meter maps the ambient radiation field in a space. The other descriptions mix these roles or describe functions that aren’t primary: ambient dose rate is what a survey meter measures, not the dosimeter; and exposure time or energy are not the main outputs of these tools.

A dosimeter and a survey meter serve personal vs area monitoring. A dosimeter goes with the worker and records the dose that individual accumulates over time, providing a cumulative personal exposure record used for safety limits and compliance. A survey meter is a handheld instrument used to assess the radiation present in the environment, giving real-time dose-rate readings and helping locate sources or hotspots to estimate potential exposure in that area. So the dosimeter tracks what one person has actually received, while the survey meter maps the ambient radiation field in a space. The other descriptions mix these roles or describe functions that aren’t primary: ambient dose rate is what a survey meter measures, not the dosimeter; and exposure time or energy are not the main outputs of these tools.