Gamma (γ) Rays

γ-rays are the high energy packets of electromagnetic radiation i.e high energy photons.When the nucleus is placed in an excited state, either by bombardment with high energy particles or by a radioactive transformation, it can decay to the ground state by emission of one or more photons called gamma rays.

It is the spontaneous process of emission of high energy photons from a radioactive nucleus. The emission of alpha and beta particles leave the daughter nucleus in the excited state which in turn emits one or more Gamma-ray photons in single or successive transitions.

Since the gamma rays are emitted by the daughter nucleus emission of gamma rays for the emission of alpha and beta particles. The energy of gamma-ray is equal to the difference between the energy of the excited state or higher energy state and the ground state of the nucleons.

The Disintegration of a radioactive nucleus by emitting an γ-ray is represented as follows:

_zX^A* → _zX^A + γ

(Exicted Nucleus) (ground state) (Gamma particle)

Properties Gamma (γ) Decay:

• They have no charge.
• They are not deflected by electric and magnetic feilds.
• They affect the photographic plates
• The order of energy of Gamma Photon is 100 KeV.
• The rest mass of the Gamma Photon is zero.
• They have very high penetration power.
• gamma rays follows the emission of alpha or beta particle.

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Rays are types of rays that are radiated when particles or nuclei disintegrate. The nature of these three rays is different based on their composition. Alpha rays consist of two protons and two neutrons and have two positive charges. Beta Rays consist of electrons and have a negative charge while Gamma Rays consist of photons and are neutral.

In this article, we will learn what are alpha, beta, and gamma rays along with their properties, and comparison between them in tabular form.