One reason radiation is dangerous is that it can’t be detected with the senses. You normally can’t see it, smell it, hear it, or feel it. Fortunately, there are devices such as Geiger counters that can detect radiation. A Geiger counter, like the one in Figure below , has a tube that contains atoms of a gas. If radiation enters the tube, it turns gas atoms to ions that carry electric current. The current causes the Geiger counter to click. The faster the clicks occur, the higher the level of radiation.
Johnny has two old drums that used to carry nuclear in his garage. He is curious to know about any radiation that the drums are giving off so he purchases a Geiger counter and returns home. Upon returning home, he puts each drum in the opposite corner of his garage and then runs the Geiger counter over the barrel. Drum A causes Johnny's Geiger counter to make a slow but steady noise. When Johnny walks over to Drum B, his Geiger counter starts making rapid sounds. Johnny thinks maybe he should not have invested in these barrels.
Based on the above, answer the following question:
Which drum is giving off more radiation?