Gamma Rays: They're Super!

There are many parts to the electro-magnetic spectrum, but one of the more interesting sections of the spectrum is perhaps the gamma ray. Now you may be asking, "A gamma who-what now? What on earth is a gamma ray?" Well folks, that is what I'm here to tell you.

A gamma ray is part of the electro-magnetic spectrum, which includes many other types of waves, like radio waves and ultraviolet waves, and even infrared waves. However, the gamma ray is very different from any others. The gamma ray is generated by sub-ato

mic particle interactions, which includes electron positron annihilation, radioactive deca

y, fusion, and fission. The frequency of the gamma ray usually ranges above 10^19 (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) Hz. The wavelength

range of the gamma wave is usually under 10 trillionths (10^-12) of a meter, or, 10 picometers. So, it is very intriguing that the gamma ray has an extremely high frequency and an extremely short wavelength.

Another interesting set of facts about gamma rays are the things they can be used for. So we have our sub-atomic particle interactions giving off gamma rays, but what can we use the rays for? Well, Gamma rays are capable of killing living organisms using "irradiation" (where an object is exposed to radiation to kill living tissue). This can be applied to the sterilization of medical equipment, removing decay causing bacteria from food, and preventing crops from sprouting to maintain freshness/flavor.

Aside from the uses, there are a few interesting phenomena regarding gamma rays. For example, gamma rays have the high frequencies and short wave lengths (as you may know), but they also have the SMALLEST wavelength and the HIGHEST energy of all waves on the electro-magnetic spectrum. Gamma ray bursts emit more energy in 10 seconds than the sun could in 10 billion years! Gamma rays are absolutely everywhere, but cannot be seen. However, they show us very much about our universe (see science.hq.nasa.gov). Also, gamma waves can be very dangerous, as they are a form of ionizing radiation, which can cause serious damage when absorbed by living tissue. Most of us have heard of the radiation that exists after a nuclear bomb, yes? Essentially, those are gamma rays, or the dangerous part of them anyway. (See www.fas.org for effects of nuclear radiation)

All together, we can see that gamma rays are a very fascinating part of the electro-magnetic spectrum. Though they are very dangerous, it is the ability to kill that allows these rays to be used in killing bacteria for sterilization, and other things along that line. However, with much research, there are possibly many other things that these rays can be used for.

Source Citation

Netting, Ruth. "Gamma Rays." NASA. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2007.
.

E.P.A. "Gamma Rays: Radiation Protection." E.P.A. N.p., 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 31
Mar. 2010. .

NDT. "Gamma Radiation." NDT Resource Center. NDT, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010.
Physics/gamma.htm>.