Gamma radiation simply explained: you have to know that

When it comes to radioactivity, the so-called gamma radiation often occurs. We explain this phenomenon to you in this practical tip.

Gamma radiation - what is it?

Gamma radiation is generated when atomic nuclei of radioactive nuclides decay.

• Like the alpha and beta radiation, the gamma radiation belongs to the ionizing radiation. This means that the radiation is able to remove electrons from atoms or molecules. However, alpha and beta radiation are charged particles that interact more strongly with matter. Simply put, this means that particles can interact with one another and also exchange particles, for example.
• Gamma radiation consists of uncharged photons or quanta, which do not interact as strongly, but can penetrate almost everything. Colloquially, photons are also called "light particles" because electromagnetic radiation consists of photons.
• In general, any electromagnetic radiation that has a quantum energy above 200 keV (eV = electron volts) is called gamma radiation.
• The wavelength of the gamma radiation is about 5 picometers.
• Gamma radiation mostly arises when the remaining nucleus is in an excited state after an alpha or beta decay. This core "rotates" for a while. When changing to a less energetic or the basic state, gamma radiation is emitted, that is, emitted.
• However, gamma radiation can also occur with neutron capture or the mixing of matter and antimatter.

In the next practical tip, we will explain what time dilation is.