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gamma ray
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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.
Learn about the use of gamma-ray spectroscopy to identify the quarry that was the source of granite found in ancient Roman ruins
gamma ray 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.
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Understand how the electromagnetic spectrum helps study the celestial bodies
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gamma ray: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Glenn Stark
    Professor of Physics, Wellesley College, Massachusetts, U.S.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: IOPscience - The Astrophysical Journal - High-Energy Gamma-Ray emission from anomalous X-Ray pulsars. Aug 19, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Consequences of Lethal-Whole-Body Gamma Radiation and Possible Ameliorative Role of Melatonin. Jul 10, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Consequences of Lethal-Whole-Body Gamma Radiation and Possible Ameliorative Role of Melatonin. Apr 10, 2026
Add new Web site: Digital Commons at University of Nebraska - Lincoln - A directional gamma ray detector using a single chip computational sensor (PDF). Nov 28, 2025
Add new Web site: U.S. Department of Energy - Gamma rays: They’re small but mighty. Aug 23, 2025
Questions and answers added. Mar 19, 2025
Add new Web site: CiteSeerX - Agile and Gamma-Ray Astrophysics (PDF). Jan 31, 2025
Add new Web site: IOPscience - The Astrophysical Journal - High-Energy Gamma-Ray emission from anomalous X-Ray pulsars. Dec 14, 2024
Add new Web site: Max Planck Institute for extraterrestrial Physics - Gamma-Ray Production and Absorption Processes. Sep 26, 2024
Add new Web site: Space.com - Gamma rays: Everything you need to know about these powerful packets of energy. Aug 29, 2023
Add new Web site: Australian Government - ARPANSA - Gamma radiation. May 12, 2023
Corrected display issue. Jun 03, 2021
Corrected display issue. May 15, 2020
Add new Web site: LiveScience - What Are Gamma-Rays? May 03, 2018
Add new Web site: ThoughtCo. - Gamma Rays. Apr 18, 2018
Cross-references added. May 01, 2017
Media added. May 17, 2016
Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - Gamma Rays. Jul 19, 2011
Add new Web site: NASA Science - Gamma Rays. Jul 19, 2011
Add new Web site: Thinkquest - Gamma Rays. Jul 19, 2011
Add new Web site: Astrophysics Group at Leeds University - Gamma Rays. Jul 19, 2011
Added new Web site: Window To The Universe - Gamma Ray Radiation. May 11, 2009
Article thoroughly revised. May 18, 2006
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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