What kind of radiation does a radiation survey meter detect?

A radiation survey meter is specifically designed to detect ionizing radiation. This type of radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, which can lead to chemical changes and biological effects. Ionizing radiation includes alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and X-rays, all of which are capable of ionizing atoms and potentially causing harm to living tissues.

In contrast, the other options represent forms of radiation that do not possess sufficient energy to ionize atoms. Non-ionizing radiation, such as radio waves and microwaves, has lower energy levels that interact mainly with atoms without displacing electrons. Visible light radiation, which we can see with the naked eye, also falls under non-ionizing categories, as it does not have enough energy to ionize atoms. Ultraviolet radiation lies on the boundary of ionizing and non-ionizing, but it's considered a form of non-ionizing radiation when it is of lower energy compared to X-rays.

Thus, when discussing the capabilities of a radiation survey meter, it is clear that it is designed to detect and measure ionizing radiation, making it an essential tool in environments where exposure to radiation is a concern.