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A gamma ray, also known as gamma radiation (symbol. γ. ), is a penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic waves, typically shorter than those of X-rays. With frequencies above 30 exahertz (3 × 1019 Hz) and wavelengths less than 10 ...
May 30, 2021 · An excited nucleus releases a high-energy gamma ray photon (after >10 −12 s) (A, Z) Internal conversion – An excited nucleus transfers energy to an orbital electron and the electron is ejected (A, Z) Gamma decay: γ: An excited nucleus (often after alpha or beta decay) emits a gamma ray photon (~10 −12 s) (A, Z)
Sep 26, 2024 · gamma decay, type of radioactivity in which some unstable atomic nuclei dissipate excess energy by a spontaneous electromagnetic process. In the most common form of gamma decay, known as gamma emission, gamma rays (photons, or packets of electromagnetic energy, of extremely short wavelength) are radiated. Gamma decay also includes two other ...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Mar 4, 2022 · Gamma decay is the third type of radioactive decay. Unlike the two other types of decay, it does not involve a change in the element. It is just a simple decay from an excited to a lower (ground) state. In the process of course some energy is released that is carried away by a photon.
In gamma emission, a daughter nucleus in a nuclear excited state undergoes a transition to a lower-energy state by emitting a γ ray. Very heavy nuclei with high neutron-to-proton ratios can undergo spontaneous fission , in which the nucleus breaks into two pieces that can have different atomic numbers and atomic masses with the release of neutrons.
The radiation that a nucleus emits when such an event occurs is dubbed gamma radiation, and is not specific to an energy level. Despite this, most nuclear drops in energy are far larger than electron drops, with gamma rays being produced in the 100 keV - 10 MeV range, where electron drops tend to stay in the 1 - 10 eV range (corresponding to visible and UV light).
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Nov 3, 2024 · gamma ray, electromagnetic radiation of the shortest wavelength and highest energy. Gamma rays are produced in the disintegration of radioactive atomic nuclei and in the decay of certain subatomic particles. The commonly accepted definitions of the gamma-ray and X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum include some wavelength overlap, with ...