GAMMA RAYS

By Sam Sharp
WHAT IS A GAMMA RAY?

 Gamma Rays were discovered in 1900 by a French
chemist named Paul Villard. It was discovered by
studying the radiation caused by radium. It was
named gamma radiation in 1903 by Ernest
Rutherford
WHAT IS A GAMMA
RAY?
The wavelength of a gamma ray is only 10
picometers, making it the highest energy
ray known. Its frequency is 1019 Hz.
Gamma Rays also move faster than any
other electromagnetic wave, at 3 * 10^8
meters per second. There is no specific
amplitude for gamma rays.
 HOW DO WE SEE
GAMMA RAYS?
 Gamma Rays cannot be seen by humans. They also
cannot be reflected by mirrors, as there wavelength is
so small they would just pass through the space
between atoms. They are seen using densely packed
crystals. When a gamma ray passes through the
crystal it creates charged particles that can then be
detected
 HOW IS IT USED?

Because gamma radiation can kill living cells it can be

used as a therapy for cancer.
 HOW DOES IT PASS
THROUGH DIFFERENT
MATERIALS?

Gamma Rays can pass through all materials, as it’s

wavelength is so small that it can go in between the
atoms of things like glass and water. It cannot be
reflected in a mirror.
 http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems/12_gammarays.html
 http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/gamma.html
 http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems/03_behaviors.html
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_ray
 http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Gamma-ray_astronomy

SOURCES