Radiobiology > Physical Processes > Quanta > Gamma-Rays
Energetic Quanta: Gamma-Rays
Gamma rays…
- Are emitted from the nucleus to trim excess energy.
- Tend to carry higher energies than X-rays, but this does not have to be the case
For example, after a larger energy decay particle (e.g. a beta particle) is emitted, the nucleus may still be slightly unstable (i.e., the atom remains in an isomeric or excited state). Emission of a gamma ray provides a means to lose a smaller amount of excess energy.
Important examples of gamma emitters: potassium-40, cobalt-60, cesium-137, and technetium-99m
 |
Simplified electromagnetic spectrum with relative wavelength scale. Photons in the spectrum of visible light are energized at 2 to 3 eV. Contrast this with the energies carried by X-rays and gamma rays - ranging from thousands to millions of electron-volts.
|
