Gamma Rays
Alyssa Credit, Period 5
Description Of A Gamma Ray
It is a photon of penetrating electromagnetic radiation (gamma radiation).
Wavelength Range: less than 10 m
Frequency Range: greater than 10^19 Hz
Velocity In A Vacuum: 300,000,000 m/s
Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays, and denoted by the Greek letter γ, refers to electromagnetic radiation of an extremely high frequency and therefore consists of high-energy photons. Gamma rays are ionizing radiation, and are thus biologically hazardous.
Everyday Applications
2. They are extremely high frequency waves, and carry a large amount of energy.
They pass through most materials, and are quite difficult to stop - you need lead or concrete in order to block them out.
Health Impacts
Negative: Gamma rays can alter or harm healthy cells in the body. As a result, tumors or cancerous cells may continue to grow. Gamma rays are also the energy which is involved in some of the most tragic accidents.