Final answer:
Continuous monitors that use solid-state silicon chips as the detection mechanism to determine radon levels are sensing the ionization produced in a semiconductor when it is exposed to radiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continuous monitors that use solid-state silicon chips as the detection mechanism to determine radon levels are sensing the ionization produced in a semiconductor when it is exposed to radiation.
Solid-state radiation detectors, such as those made with semiconductors similar to computer chips, directly convert the incident radiation into an electrical signal. By measuring the amount of ionization produced in the semiconductor, these detectors can accurately determine radon levels.