Gamma rays

gamma rays

In the field of nuclear physics, the different types of radiation that exist are studied. In this case, we are going to focus on studying the gamma rays. It is the electromagnetic radiation that is produced by the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. These gamma rays have the highest frequency radiation and are among the most dangerous for humans, as well as other ionizing radiation.

Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you what are the characteristics, importance and uses of gamma rays.

Key features

uses of radiation

In summary, we are going to list the main characteristics of gamma rays:

  • They are particles that have no more at rest since they move at the speed of light.
  • They also have no electrical charge since they are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields.
  • They have very little ionizing power although they are quite penetrating. Gamma rays of radon they can go through up to 15 cm of steel.
  • They are waves like light but much more energetic than X-rays.
  • A radioactive compound that is absorbed in a gland and avoids gamma radiation makes it possible to study said gland by obtaining it on a beach.

They have very high frequency radiation and are one of the most dangerous radiation for humans, like all ionizing radiation. The danger lies in the fact that they are high-energy waves that can irreversibly damage molecules. that make up cells, causing genetic mutations and even death. On Earth we can observe natural sources of gamma rays in the decay of radionuclides and the interaction of cosmic rays with the atmosphere; very few rays also produce this type of radiation.

Gamma ray properties

gamma rays in space

Normally, the frequency of this radiation is greater than 1020 Hz, so it has an energy greater than 100 keV and a wavelength less than 3 × 10 -13 m, much less than the diameter of an atom. Interactions involving gamma rays of energy from TeV to PeV have also been studied.

Gamma rays are more penetrating than radiation produced by other forms of radioactive decay, or alpha decay and beta decay, due to the lesser tendency to interact with matter. Gamma radiation is made up of photons. This is a substantial difference from alpha radiation which is made up of helium nuclei and beta radiation which is made up of electrons.

Photons, not being endowed with mass, they are less ionizing. At these frequencies, the description of the phenomena of interactions between the electromagnetic field and matter cannot ignore quantum mechanics. Gamma rays are distinguished from X-rays by their origin. They are produced by nuclear or subatomic transitions, in any case, whereas X-rays are produced by energy transitions due to electrons that from external quantized energy levels enter more internal free energy levels.

Since some electronic transitions can exceed the energy of some nuclear transitions, the frequency of the higher-energy X-rays can be higher than the frequency of the lower-energy gamma rays. But in fact, they are all electromagnetic waves, like radio waves and light.

Materials made thanks to gamma rays

electromagnetic spectrum

The material required to protect gamma rays is much thicker than that required to protect alpha and beta particles. These materials can be blocked with a simple sheet of paper (α) or a thin metal plate (β). Materials with high atomic number and high density can better absorb gamma rays. In fact, if 1 cm of lead is required to reduce the intensity of gamma rays by 50%, the same effect occurs in 6 cm of cement and 9 cm of pressed earth.

Shielding materials are generally measured in terms of the thickness needed to cut the radiation intensity in half. Obviously, the higher the energy of the photon, the greater the thickness of the required shield.

Therefore, thick screens are needed to protect humans, because gamma rays and X-rays can cause burns, cancer, and genetic mutations. For example, in nuclear power plants, it is used to protect steel and cement in the containment of pellets, while water can prevent radiation during fuel rod storage or reactor core transportation.

Uses

Ionizing radiation treatment is a physical method used to achieve sterilization of materials medical and sanitary, the decontamination of food, raw materials and industrial products, and their application in other fields, We'll see later.

This process involves exposing the final packaged or bulk product or substance to ionizing energy. This is done in a special room called an irradiation room for each specific situation and within a specific period of time. These waves completely penetrate exposed products, including multilayer packaged products.

The use of Cobalt 60 for the treatment of tumor diseases is a method that is currently widespread in my country and in the world due to its efficacy and intrinsic safety. It is called cobalt therapy or cobalt therapy and involves exposing tumor tissue to gamma rays.

For this, the so-called cobalt treatment device is used, which is equipped with an armored head equipped with cobalt 60, and is equipped with a device that precisely controls the exposure required in each specific case to adequately treat the disease.

The first commercial application of ionization energy dates back to the early 1960s. Today, there are around 160 irradiation plants in operation in the world, distributed in more than 30 countries, providing a wide range of services for more and more industries.

As you can see, although they are dangerous, the human being manages to make use of gamma rays in many areas as induced by medicine. I hope that with this information you can learn more about gamma rays and their characteristics.


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