Gamma Radiation Facts For Kids
Gamma radiation is a type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted during radioactive decay, known for its immense penetration power and uses in medical and industrial applications.
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Key Points
Photos of Gamma Radiation
Part of CNO cycle diagram, made just to be illustrative for nuclear reactions in general.
Radioactive decay scheme of 60Co
Gamma emission spectrum of cobalt-60
Image of entire sky in 100 MeV or greater gamma rays as seen by the EGRET instrument aboard the CGRO spacecraft. Bright spots within the galactic plane are pulsars while those above and below the plane are thought to be quasars.
A hypernova. Artist's illustration showing the life of a massive star as nuclear fusion converts lighter elements into heavier ones. When fusion no longer generates enough pressure to counteract gravity, the star rapidly collapses to form a black hole. Theoretically, energy may be released during the collapse along the axis of rotation to form a long duration gamma-ray burst.
Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei and is readily stopped by a sheet of paper. Beta radiation, consisting of electrons or positrons, is stopped by an aluminium plate, but gamma radiation requires shielding by dense material such as lead or concrete.
The total absorption coefficient of aluminium (atomic number 13) for gamma rays, plotted versus gamma energy, and the contributions by the three effects. As is usual, the photoelectric effect is largest at low energies, Compton scattering dominates at intermediate energies, and pair production dominates at high energies.
The total absorption coefficient of lead (atomic number 82) for gamma rays, plotted versus gamma energy, and the contributions by the three effects. Here, the photoelectric effect dominates at low energy. Above 5 MeV, pair production starts to dominate.
Gamma-ray image of a truck with two stowaways taken with a VACIS (vehicle and container imaging system)