What units will an ionization chamber calibrated to measure air kerma display?

An ionization chamber calibrated to measure air kerma will display results in Gray (Gy). Air kerma is a measure of the energy transferred from ionizing radiation to air, and the Gray is the SI unit specifically used to quantify the absorbed dose of radiation. One Gray is defined as the absorption of one joule of radiation energy per kilogram of matter.

In practical terms, when an ionization chamber measures air kerma, it is assessing the energy deposited in air by ionizing radiation, and the resulting value is expressed in Gray because this unit provides a direct indication of absorbed energy, which is essential in radiation protection and dosimetry. Understanding the units of radiation measurement helps in effectively interpreting results in contexts like medical imaging and radiation therapy, where precise dosing is crucial for safety and efficacy.