Electromagnetic Waves

Science 10 | Physics

Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays
 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays

General Information
General Information:

> Have the smallest wavelength but has high frequency and energy

> "Cannot be deflected by magnetic field" Paul Villard (1900)

> In 1914, Ernest Rutherford and Edward Andrade showed that

gamma rays were a form of EM Radiation by measuring their
wavelengths using crystal diffraction.
 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays

Characteristics:
Characteristics
> Are distinguished from high energy X-ray through
their source.
> Produced from excited nuclei of a radionuclide as it undergoes
radioactive decay.

> Highly dense materials are used to slow down or lessen the amount of
gamma rays to penetrate through a material

> Energy can reach up to or greater than 100 keV.

 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays

Sources:
sources

> produced by the hottest and most

energetic objects in the universe
(neutron stars and pulsars, supernova
explosions, and regions around black
holes).
 Gamma Rays

Sources:
sources

> On Earth, gamma waves are generated

by nuclear explosions, lightning, and the
less dramatic activity of radioactive decay.
 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays

Detectors:
detectors
> Gamma rays can be placed in two
> Geiger-Mueller (GM) detector
broad classes:
• Spectrometers > NaI(Tl) SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
• Imagers
 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays
Geiger-Mueller (GM) detector

Detectors:
detectors
NaI(Tl) SCINTILLATION DETECTOR
 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays
Gamma-Ray Astronomy
PracticaL
PracticaL
Application/
Application/
Usage:
Usage:
Sterilize medical equipment
Radio Therapy-
to kill cancerous cells
 Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays
Disadvantages:
Disadvantages:

• Poorer quality radiographs • Radiation cannot be switched off.

• Exposure times can be longer • Poorer geometric unsharpness

• Sources need replacing • Remote handling necessary

Thats All!
Thats All!
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By: Group no. 5