"A gamma ray, also known as gamma radiation (symbol γ or γ), is a penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei."
Consists of high-energy photons emitted by the nucleus during radioactive decay. It is neutral and has high penetrating ability, and can only be stopped by thick materials such as concrete or lead.
Atomic structure: This includes the basic building blocks of an atom, including protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Radioactivity: This refers to the spontaneous emission of ionizing radiation from unstable nuclei.
Types of radiation: This includes alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
Gamma rays: This describes the highly energetic electromagnetic radiation that is emitted during radioactive decay.
Sources of gamma radiation: This includes natural sources, such as cosmic rays, and artificial sources, such as nuclear power plants.
Radiation detection: This covers the various methods used to detect and measure gamma radiation, including using Geiger counters and scintillation detectors.
Radiation exposure: This includes the different ways in which humans can be exposed to gamma radiation, including inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption.
Health effects of gamma radiation exposure: This includes the potential risks and effects of exposure to gamma radiation, including radiation sickness, cancer, and genetic damage.
Radiation protection: This includes methods for protecting against gamma radiation exposure, such as using shielding and protective clothing.
Radiation regulations and standards: This covers the laws and guidelines that govern the use and handling of gamma radiation in various industries and settings.
Alpha radiation: Alpha radiation is the emission of alpha particles, which are made up of two protons and two neutrons. When an alpha decay occurs, the nucleus loses two protons and two neutrons, which reduces its atomic mass by four.
Beta radiation: Beta radiation is the emission of beta particles, which can be either electrons or positrons. When a beta decay occurs, the nucleus emits one electron or positron, which changes a neutron into a proton or a proton into a neutron.
Neutron radiation: Neutron radiation is the emission of free neutrons, which can occur in a nuclear reaction or during the decay of certain nuclei. Neutrons can be hazardous because they have no charge and can penetrate matter more easily than other charged particles.
Cosmic radiation: Cosmic radiation is a form of high-energy radiation that comes from outer space. It includes a mix of gamma rays, protons, and other particles, and is usually most intense at high altitudes and near the poles.
X-ray radiation: X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with high energy and short wavelength. They are commonly used in medical imaging, but can also be produced by certain radioactive elements.
Gamma radiation: Gamma radiation is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that occurs during the decay of atomic nuclei. It has no charge or mass, and is highly penetrative, making it hazardous to living tissue.
"Paul Villard, a French chemist and physicist, discovered gamma radiation in 1900 while studying radiation emitted by radium."
"It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic waves, typically shorter than those of X-rays."
"Ernest Rutherford named this radiation gamma rays based on their relatively strong penetration of matter."
"Gamma rays from radioactive decay are in the energy range from a few kiloelectronvolts (keV) to approximately 8 megaelectronvolts (MeV), corresponding to the typical energy levels in nuclei with reasonably long lifetimes."
"The energy spectrum of gamma rays can be used to identify the decaying radionuclides using gamma spectroscopy."
"Natural sources of gamma rays originating on Earth are mostly a result of radioactive decay and secondary radiation from atmospheric interactions with cosmic ray particles."
"Notable artificial sources of gamma rays include fission, such as that which occurs in nuclear reactors, and high energy physics experiments, such as neutral pion decay and nuclear fusion."
"In some fields of physics, they are distinguished by their origin: Gamma rays are created by nuclear decay while X-rays originate outside the nucleus."
"In astrophysics, gamma rays are conventionally defined as having photon energies above 100 keV and are the subject of gamma ray astronomy."
"Gamma rays are ionizing radiation and are thus hazardous to life."
"Unlike alpha and beta rays, they easily pass through the body and thus pose a formidable radiation protection challenge, requiring shielding made from dense materials such as lead or concrete."
"On Earth, the magnetosphere protects life from most types of lethal cosmic radiation other than gamma rays."