What are Gamma-Rays?
Gamma-Rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation generated by radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus. Gamma Rays can be used to treat cancer and gamma ray burst are studied by astronomers.*Radiation is transmitted in waves and frequencies.This broad range of wavelengths is known as the electromagnetic spectrum:
Discovery of the gamma-rays
Gamma-rays were first observed in 1900 by Paul Villard when he was investigating radiation from radium. A few years later, Ernest Rutherford proposed the name "gamma-rays" following the order of alpha-rays and beta-rays. Rutherford noted that gamma rays were not deflected by a magnetic field making then unlike alpha and beta rays.Characteristics
- Have frequencies greater than about 1018 Hz.
- Wavelengths of less than 10 picometers (10−11 meters) (less than the diameter of an atom)
- Gamma rays are very penetrating.
- It is distinguised from x-rays only by the fact that it comes from the decay of a nucleus.
Uses
- Medicine
Gamma-rays are sometimes used to treat cancerous tumors in the body by damaging the DNA of the tumor cells.However,great care must be taken because gamma-rays can also damage the DNA of healthy cells. That is the work of the Gamma Knife:
- Astronomy
One of the more interesting sources of gamma-rays in astronomy is the gamma-ray bursts.These are extremely high-energy events that last only a few milliseconds to several minutes and the evidences indicates that it is originated when something is consumed by a black hole .
Most gamma ray bursts come from galaxies that are more than 100 million of light-years away.
