gamma ray: Quick Facts

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Oct. 18, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	gamma radiation

Photos and Videos

Diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum showing different types of waves arranged by wavelength and frequency, from gamma rays and X-rays to ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, TV/FM radio, shortwave radio, AM radio, and longwave radio.

Figure 2: Plot of intensity of gamma ray flux passing through absorber as function of Doppler velocity applied to source; dip in centre is caused by nuclear resonant absorption.

Diagram showing the decay process of radioactive sodium-24, which undergoes beta decay to form excited magnesium-24, emitting a 1.39-MeV electron, followed by two gamma rays as it transitions to the stable ground state of magnesium-24.

Figure 1: The electromagnetic spectrum.

Diagram showing the sequence of uranium nucleus fission after being struck by a neutron: the nucleus absorbs the neutron, deforms, splits into fragments, releases more neutrons and gamma rays, and emits beta particles as the fragments decay. Labels identify neutrons, protons, beta particles, and gamma rays, with accompanying explanatory text.

Diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum with labeled sections for radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays, each paired with an example use and corresponding image.

Learn about the use of gamma-ray spectroscopy to identify the quarry that was the source of granite found in ancient Roman ruins

Can science explain the Fantastic Four's powers?

Understand how the electromagnetic spectrum helps study the celestial bodies

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Topics

Mössbauer effect Gamma-ray burst Mössbauer effect thermal red-shift Mössbauer effect absorption spectrum Mössbauer effect Doppler-velocity spectrometer nuclear recoil nuclear clock radiation radioactivity gamma decay light X-ray ultraviolet radiation spectrum Solar radiation infrared radiation radio wave microwave spectroscopy luminescence

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Key People

Carl David Anderson

Carl David Anderson

American physicist