Radon in a home is detected through the measurement of which particles?

The detection of radon in a home is best associated with alpha particles. Radon is a radioactive gas that emanates from the decay of uranium and thorium found in soil and rock. When radon decays, it produces a series of radioactive decay products, also known as radon daughters, that emit alpha particles.

Alpha particles are heavy and positively charged, making them relatively ineffective in penetrating materials; however, they can be detected using various types of detectors, including those that utilize photographic film or scintillation counters. Because radon is a health hazard due to its radioactivity and the alpha particles it emits, monitoring and measurement are critical for ensuring indoor air quality and reducing health risks associated with long-term exposure.

In the context of the other options, while Geiger rays and beta particles are associated with other forms of radiation detection, they are not the primary particles used for detecting radon. UV rays are not relevant in the detection of radon at all, as they pertain more to electromagnetic radiation rather than the radioactive emissions from radon or its decay products. Thus, alpha particles are definitively the correct choice for identifying radon in a home environment.