Final answer:
The exact number of gases each detector tube tests for cannot be determined without specific information on the detector tube. Nitrogen, with an atomic number of seven, has two electron shells. A Geiger tube detecting radiation can create a maximum of approximately 16,667 ion pairs from a particle depositing 0.500 MeV of energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The detector tube in question is not specified in the information provided, which makes it difficult to determine the exact number of gases each detector tube is designed to test for. Detector tubes can be specific to one gas or multiple gases depending on their design and purpose. Without more context or details about the specific detector tube referenced, an accurate answer cannot be given. As for the reference information regarding nitrogen's atomic number and the problem involving a Geiger tube, while interesting, they do not provide enough details to answer the original question about detector tubes.
Nitrogen's Atomic Number and Electron Shells
Nitrogen has an atomic number of seven, which means it has seven protons and, naturally, seven electrons. These electrons are distributed in the atom's electron shells. The first shell can hold up to 2 electrons, and the second can hold up to 8. Since nitrogen has 5 more electrons after the first shell is filled, it will have two electron shells.
Radiation Detection and Detectors
In the problem related to radiation detection and detectors involving a Geiger tube, the particle deposits 0.500 MeV, or 500,000 eV, of energy which can create ion pairs. If each ion pair requires 30.0 eV, then by dividing the total energy deposited by the energy required per ion pair, you can find the maximum number of ion pairs created. Doing the math: 500,000 eV / 30.0 eV per ion pair gives a result of approximately 16,667 ion pairs.