Definition of Gamma Ray



Gamma rays are one of the forms of electromagnetic radiation. When the atomic nucleus undergoes radioactive decay, it leads to the production of gamma rays. The energy of the gamma rays is very high as the wavelength of these electromagnetic waves is extremely short.

 


The gamma rays were studied back in 1900 by Paul Villard when he was working on radiations emitted by the nucleus of radium. These rays are highly penetrating in nature and their energy ranges from a few keV to 8 MeV. The spectrum of the gamma rays allows the identification of decaying radionuclides.

 

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