Gamma radiation - what is it?
The gamma radiation produced by the decay of atomic nuclei of radioactive nuclides.
- The gamma radiation is part of the Alpha - and beta-radiation to the ionizing radiation. This means that the radiation is capable of removing electrons from atoms or molecules. In the case of Alpha and beta radiation is charged particles, which interact more strongly with the matter. This simply means that particles can interact with each other and also, for example, the particles exchange.
- Gamma radiation consists of uncharged photons, or quanta, which do not act as strong change, but almost everything can penetrate. Photons is called colloquially "light particles", as electro-magnetic radiation from photons.
- In General, any electromagnetic radiation has a quantum energy of about 200 keV (eV = electron volts) is referred to as gamma radiation.
- The wavelength of gamma radiation is about 5 Pikometer.
- Gamma radiation usually occurs when after an Alpha or Beta decay, the remaining nucleus is in an excited state. This core "rotates" for a long time. During the Transition to a less energetic or in the ground state, gamma radiation is emitted, i.e., emitted.
- Gamma radiation, however, can also occur in a Neutron capture, or the mixing of matter and anti-matter.
Uranium also emits gamma radiation (image: Pixabay)
In the next tip we will explain what time dilation is.
