wiki Word: Gamma Rays

Definition: the high-energy photon, emitted by a nucleus during fission and radioactive decay

                       Gamma rays are amazing little waves of sound. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is created when parts of an atom collide and begin to decay. This can be known as Radioactive decay.Gamma Rays, denoted as y, have not only the highest energy content, they have the shortest wavelegnth. A wavelegnth is the distance from the crest of one wave to another. This wavelegnth spans only 10 picometers! A picometer is equal to one trillionth of a meter! Ten of those is equal to only one third of a helium atom. On the other side of the spectrum, the longest gamma rays are around the same size of the smallest hard X-rays. The diffrence between the two, is the source of radiation. X- rays are generated by energy transfers in electrons, while gamma rays are created by transitions in the nuclei of a cell. Because of  the high energy content in gamma rays, they are very hazardous to living cells. Although gamma rays can help by killing cancer cells.

                No matter how small, these little guys are they sure can pack a punch. One 10 seccond gamma ray blast can release more energy than the sun will emit in it's entire life time! 

 To see a movie about gamma ray astronomy, click here. http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/Videos/GRO/sources2.avi  

       We are studying this term for many reasons. For one, gamma rays are the smallest rays. These rays can help by showing us the extent of the color spectrum. Also by using gamma rays, scientists have came up with a new study called, Gamma-ray astronomy. Using gamma-ray astronomy has many benifits. For one, scientists can observe the universe in more depth. Scientists can also find new elements of physics. Scientists can do this by testing theories and performing experiments which are not possible in laboratories on Earth.

      ~Definition~

1. Garcia,Leigh-Ann,ed,Holt Science and Technology, Orlando. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2006

      ~Information~

1. "Gamma Rays." Wikipedia. 5 May 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_rays>.

 2.Sample, Sharron. "Gamma Rays." 27 mar 07. NASA. 5 May 2008 <http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/gamma.html>.

2. Lochner, Jim. "The history of Gamma-ray Astronomy." NASA. 28 Jan 2006. NASA. 8 May 2008 <http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/history_gamma.html>.

      ~Images~

1. Sample, Sharron. "Gamma Rays." 27 mar 07. NASA. 5 May 2008 <http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/gamma.html>.

2. Naeye, Robert. "Gamma-Ray bursts last longer than thought." SLAC today. 09 May 2008. SLAC. 9 May 2008 <http://today.slac.stanford.edu/feature/2007/swift-gamma-rays.asp>.