Gamma+Rays

Gamma Rays are the highest energy, shortest wavelength emission of electromagnetic energy known. They have a wavelength range of .03nm-.003nm. The only events powerful enough to generate this destructive force are supernovae and the splitting of an atom. Gamma rays are such a powerful form of radiation that they will disintegrate almost anything in their path. In just 10 seconds, a gamma ray burst will emit more energy than the sun will in its entire 10 billion year lifetime. To learn more, visit: http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/gamma.html media type="youtube" key="Mg0z-OmYwac" height="295" width="480" media type="youtube" key="P2ESs1rPO_A" height="344" width="425" media type="youtube" key="7v0S95kMmok" height="344" width="425"

Gamma rays are the only emissions that travel in a straight line from the radioactive source. Alpha rays and beta rays are both deflected because of their charge.

Gamma rays are high-energy photons. Gamma radiation often accompanies alpha and beta decay.

History: French physicist Henri Becquerel is credited with finding gamma rays. He discovered that uranium minerals could expose photographic plate through heavy opaque paper. This discovery happened in 1896, shortly after the discovery of X-rays by Roentgen.

For more basic information on Gamma Rays, please check out the EPA site at: http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/understand/gamma.html#basics