Gamma Rays

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.