Gamma Ray

A list of contents
 Preface
Alhamdulillahirobbil ‘alamin, Praise is merely to the Almighty Allah SWT for the gracious
mercy and tremendeous blessing, who has given His bless to our team for finishing the phisics
paper assignment entitled “Gamma Ray Wave”.
And thanks too for our majesty prophet Muhammad SAW who has taken his ummat from
darkness period into these brilliant period,and we would say thank you for our phisics teacher
Ms.Dra.Vera Marzuklina,M.Pd,for the guidance during my study phisics in SMK-SMAKBogor.
Our group also wish to express our deep and sincere gratitude for those who have guided in
completing this paper. This phisics paper contains some material that will be learn in third year
of SMK-SMAKBogor , this material is one of sub-material that learning about electromagnetic
wave. And our gaoup worked so hard to finishing about this material, but we’re sorry for the
bad english languange from us, recently from our grammar or from the structural of our
sentences. And proudly our group finishing this material to complete our task that our teacher
had given. We hope that this paper about Gamma Rays can be useful for all of us.

Sincerely, Group 6

Bogor, 04 Novemeber 2016

 { Chapter 1 – Introduction
Electromagetik wave is

{ Chapter II – Study of material

 Description about Gamma Ray
Gamma ray (also called gamma radiation), denoted by the lower-case Greek
letter gamma (γ ), is penetrating electromagnetic radiation of a kind arising from the radioactive
decay of atomic nuclei and consists of high-energy photons. Paul Villard, a French chemist and
physicist, discovered gamma radiation in 1900 while studying radiation emitted by radium. In
1903, Ernest Rutherfordnamed this radiation gamma rays. Rutherford had previously discovered
two other types of radioactive decay, which he named alphaand beta rays.
Gamma rays are able to ionize other atoms (ionizing radiation), and are thus biologically hazardous.
The decay of an atomic nucleus from a high energy state to a lower energy state, a process
called gamma decay, produces gamma radiation.
Natural sources of gamma rays on Earth are observed in the gamma decay of radionuclides and
secondary radiation from atmospheric interactions with cosmic ray particles. There are rare
terrestrial natural sources, such as lightning strikes and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, that produce
gamma rays not of a nuclear origin. Additionally, gamma rays are produced by a number of
astronomical processes in which very high-energy electrons are produced, that in turn cause
secondary gamma rays viabremsstrahlung, inverse Compton scattering, and synchrotron radiation.
However, a large fraction of such astronomical gamma rays are screened by Earth's atmosphere
and can only be detected by spacecraft. Gamma rays are produced by nuclear fusion
in starsincluding the Sun (such as the CNO cycle), but are absorbed or inelastically scattered by the
stellar material, reducing their energy, before escaping and are not observable from Earth as gamma
rays.
Gamma rays typically have frequencies above 10 exahertz (or >1019 Hz), and therefore have
energies above 100 keV and wavelengths less than 10 picometers (10−11 m), which is less than the
diameter of an atom. However, this is not a strict definition, but rather only a rule-of-thumb
description for natural processes. Electromagnetic radiation from radioactive decay of atomic nuclei
is referred to as "gamma rays" no matter its energy, so that there is no lower limit to gamma energy
derived from radioactive decay. This radiation commonly has energy of a few hundred keV, and
almost always less than 10 MeV. In astronomy, gamma rays are defined by their energy, and no
production process needs to be specified. The energies of gamma rays from astronomical sources
range to over 10 TeV, an energy far too large to result from radioactive decay. A notable example is
the extremely powerful bursts of high-energy radiation referred to as long duration gamma-ray
bursts, of energies higher than can be produced by radioactive decay. These bursts of gamma rays,
thought to be due to the collapse of stars called hypernovae, are the most powerful events so far
discovered in the cosmos.
  Speed of Gamma Rays
We know that the gamma rays are electromagnetic radiations and hence the Speed of the
Gamma Rays are that of the speed of the electromagnetic radiations. The speed of the electromagnetic
radiations is equal to the speed of the light, hence the speed of gamma rays is equal to the speed of light
that is 3 x 108 m/sec.

History of discovery
The first gamma ray source to be discovered historically was the radioactive decay process
called gamma decay. In this type of decay, an excited nucleus emits a gamma ray almost
immediately upon formation (it is now understood that a nuclear isomeric transition, however, can
produce inhibited gamma decay with a measurable and much longer half-life). Paul Villard, a French
chemist and physicist, discovered gamma radiation in 1900, while studying radiation emitted
from radium. Villard knew that his described radiation was more powerful than previously described
types of rays from radium, which included beta rays, first noted as "radioactivity" by Henri Becquerel in
1896, and alpha rays, discovered as a less penetrating form of radiation by Rutherford, in 1899.
However, Villard did not consider naming them as a different fundamental type. [2][3] Villard's radiation
was recognized as being of a type fundamentally different from previously named rays, by Ernest
Rutherford, who in 1903 named Villard's rays "gamma rays" by analogy with the beta and alpha rays
that Rutherford had differentiated in 1899. [4] The "rays" emitted by radioactive elements were named
in order of their power to penetrate various materials, using the first three letters of the Greek
alphabet: alpha rays as the least penetrating, followed by beta rays, followed by gamma rays as the
most penetrating. Rutherford also noted that gamma rays were not deflected (or at least,
not easily deflected) by a magnetic field, another property making them unlike alpha and beta rays.
Gamma rays were first thought to be particles with mass, like alpha and beta rays. Rutherford
initially believed that they might be extremely fast beta particles, but their failure to be deflected by a
magnetic field indicated that they had no charge. In 1914, gamma rays were observed to be
reflected from crystal surfaces, proving that they were electromagnetic radiation.[5] Rutherford and
his coworker Edward Andrade measured the wavelengths of gamma rays from radium, and found
that they were similar to X-rays, but with shorter wavelengths and (thus) higher frequency. This was
eventually recognized as giving them also more energy per photon, as soon as the latter term
became generally accepted. A gamma decay was then understood to usually emit a single gamma
photon
  The founder of Gamma Ray
Paul Ulrich Villard (28 September 1860 – 13 January 1934) was a French chemist and physicist.
He discovered gamma rays in 1900 while studying the radiation emanating from radium

Paul Ulrich Villard

Born 28 September 1860

Saint-Germain-au-Mont-d'Or

Died 13 January 1934 (aged 73)

Bayonne

Known for Discoverer of Gamma Rays

  The Spectrum of Gamma Ray

 The Spectrum of gamma ray around: 1020 - 1025 Hz

 Sources of gamma rays

 Natural sources of gamma rays on Earth include gamma decay from naturally
occurring radioisotopes such as potassium-40, and also as a secondary radiation from various
atmospheric interactions with cosmic ray particles. Some rare terrestrial natural sources that produce
gamma rays that are not of a nuclear origin, are lightning strikes and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes,
which produce high energy emissions from natural high-energy voltages. Gamma rays are produced
by a number of astronomical processes in which very high-energy electrons are produced. Such
electrons produce secondary gamma rays by the mechanisms of bremsstrahlung, inverse Compton
scattering and synchrotron radiation. A large fraction of such astronomical gamma rays are screened
by Earth's atmosphere and must be detected by spacecraft. Notable artificial sources of gamma rays
include fission such as occurs in nuclear reactors, and high energy physics

 Health effects
Gamma rays cause damage at a cellular level and are penetrating, causing diffuse damage
throughout the body. However, they are less ionising than alpha or beta particles, which are less
penetrating.
Low levels of gamma rays cause a stochastic health risk, which for radiation dose assessment is
defined as the probability of cancer induction and genetic damage. High doses
produce deterministic effects, which is the severity of acute tissue damage that is certain to happen.
These effects are compared to the physical quantity absorbed dosemeasured by the unit gray (Gy)

Uses

Gamma-ray image of a truck with two stowaways taken with a VACIS (vehicle and container imaging system)

Gamma rays provide information about some of the most energetic phenomena in the
universe; however, they are largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere. Instruments aboard high-
altitude balloons and satellites missions, such as the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, provide
our only view of the universe in gamma rays.
Gamma-induced molecular changes can also be used to alter the properties of semi-precious
stones, and is often used to change white topaz into blue topaz.
1. Non-contact industrial sensors commonly use sources of gamma radiation in refining,
mining, chemicals, food, soaps and detergents, and pulp and paper industries, for the measurement
of levels, density, and thicknesses. Typically, these use Co-60 or Cs-137 isotopes as the radiation
source.
2. In the US, gamma ray detectors are beginning to be used as part of the Container Security
Initiative (CSI). These machines are advertised to be able to scan 30 containers per hour.
3. Gamma radiation is often used to kill living organisms, in a process called irradiation.
Applications of this include the sterilization of medical equipment (as an alternative toautoclaves or
chemical means), the removal of decay-causing bacteria from many foods and the prevention of the
sprouting of fruit and vegetables to maintain freshness and flavor.
 4. Despite their cancer-causing properties, gamma rays are also used to treat some types
of cancer, since the rays kill cancer cells also. In the procedure called gamma-knifesurgery, multiple
concentrated beams of gamma rays are directed to the growth in order to kill the cancerous cells.
The beams are aimed from different angles to concentrate the radiation on the growth while
minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
5. Gamma rays are also used for diagnostic purposes in nuclear medicine in imaging
techniques. A number of different gamma-emitting radioisotopes are used. For example, in aPET
scan a radiolabeled sugar called fludeoxyglucose emits positrons that are annihilated by electrons,
producing pairs of gamma rays that highlight cancer as the cancer often has a higher metabolic rate
than the surrounding tissues. The most common gamma emitter used in medical applications is
the nuclear isomer technetium-99m which emits gamma rays in the same energy range as
diagnostic X-rays. When this radionuclide tracer is administered to a patient, a gamma camera can
be used to form an image of the radioisotope's distribution by detecting the gamma radiation emitted
(see also SPECT). Depending on which molecule has been labeled with the tracer, such techniques
can be employed to diagnose a wide range of conditions (for example, the spread of cancer to the
bones via bone scan).
6. It is used for treatment of cancerous cell in our body without the use of the surgery.

7. It is used in industries to kill the harmful bacteria, organism like yeast etc.

8. Like x – rays, it is also used to sterilize medical instruments.

9. It is used to detect brain and heart abnormalities.

10. Gamma rays are used by Engineers, since they can penetrate better than X-rays, to
look for cracks in pipes and aircraft parts..

11. One of the destructive use is their important role in development of the atomic
bomb.

 Body response
When gamma radiation breaks DNA molecules, a cell may be able to repair the
damaged genetic material, within limits. However, a study of Rothkamm and Lobrich has shown that
this repair process works well after high-dose exposure but is much slower than in the case of a low-
dose exposure.

 Risk assessment
The natural outdoor exposure in Great Britain ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 µSv/h with significant increase
around known nuclear and contaminated sites.Natural exposure to gamma rays is about 1 to 2 mSv
per year, and the average total amount of radiation received in one year per inhabitant in the USA is
3.6 mSv. There is a small increase in the dose, due to naturally occurring gamma radiation, around
small particles of high atomic number materials in the human body caused by the photoelectric
effect.
By comparison, the radiation dose from chest radiography (about 0.06 mSv) is a fraction of the
annual naturally occurring background radiation dose. A chest CT delivers 5 to 8 mSv. A whole-
body PET/CT scan can deliver 14 to 32 mSv depending on the protocol. The dose
from fluoroscopy of the stomach is much higher, approximately 50 mSv (14 times the annual
background).
An acute full-body equivalent single exposure dose of 1 Sv (1000 mSv) causes slight blood changes,
but 2.0–3.5 Sv (2.0–3.5 Gy) causes very severe syndrome of nausea, hair loss, and hemorrhaging,
and will cause death in a sizable number of cases—-about 10% to 35% without medical treatment. A
dose of 5 Sv (5 Gy) is considered approximately the LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of exposed
population) for an acute exposure to radiation even with standard medical treatment. A dose higher
than 5 Sv (5 Gy) brings an increasing chance of death above 50%. Above 7.5–10 Sv (7.5–10 Gy) to
the entire body, even extraordinary treatment, such as bone-marrow transplants, will not prevent the
death of the individual exposed (see Radiation poisoning).(Doses much larger than this may,
however, be delivered to selected parts of the body in the course ofradiation therapy.)
For low dose exposure, for example among nuclear workers, who receive an average yearly
radiation dose of 19 mSv,the risk of dying from cancer (excludingleukemia) increases by 2 percent.
For a dose of 100 mSv, the risk increase is 10 percent. By comparison, risk of dying from cancer was
increased by 32 percent for the survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

 Examples of Gamma Rays

The gamma rays are just like other electromagnetic rays which are emitted by different sources
under different circumstances. These are emitted by the hottest part of our universe and also these are
emitted by the radioactive decay of certain material, like cobalt-60, zinc-65, cesium-137, and radium-226.
Owing to their shorter wavelength they travel larger distances and can also penetrate more than other
types of electromagnetic rays. The gamma rays can be produced in laboratories by exciting nuclei of a
radioactive elements by the use of Cyclotron and synchrotron.

 Gamma Rays Facts

1. Speed of gamma rays is equal to speed of light since it is an type of EM wave and all the EM
wave travels with speed of light.

2. Gamma rays have shortest wavelength rays which are discovered till date by the humans.

3. Gamma ray is identical to microwaves or light with the difference of the very high energy.

4. Gamma rays can penetrate the concrete and hence can be used for checking the health of the
steel structure supporting the over bridges.

5. It is also useful in scanning human tissue due to its penetration power.

6. To detect gamma rays special types of detectors are required. These detectors have densely
packed crystals. When the gamma rays passes through the crystal it collides with the electrons of
the crystal and losses much of its energy. Due to loss of energy charged particle are created
which are detected by the detector.

7. The gamma rays produced in the space are absorbed by earth’s atmosphere.

8. The gamma rays are used for irradiation of the food, i.e. killing the harmful bacteria of the food so
that food can be preserved for longer duration.

 Gamma Radiation
The Gamma Rays can be emitted by the natural radioactive elements like potassium-40 by the
process of gamma decay when the high energy nucleus of an atom changes its state to lower energy.
Gamma radiation can also be produced in many other ways. It is also produced as a secondary
radiation from various atmospheric interactions between cosmic ray particles. The lightning strike is
one form of natural way of production of gamma rays which is not radioactive in nature.

The Gamma Rays are produced in number of ways:

1. Particle - Particle Collision: This effect is observed when proton or cosmic rays collides each
other they produces neutral particle which are moving with high velocity. These particles decay
into the gamma rays.
2. Matter - Antimatter Annihilation: This process is observed when an electron and positron
undergoes a process of annihilation in which the neutral particles are formed and these particles
decay into gamma rays.

3. Radioactive Decay: When a high energy nucleus changes its state to lower energy, it produces
a gamma rays. This effect is known as radioactive decay. During the radioactive decay the nuclei
may emit alpha, beta, gamma rays.

4. Acceleration of charged particles: When a charged particle is accelerated under the force of
magnetic force while moving in the magnetic field it radiate a electromagnetic radiation in the
gamma region.

References
1. Jump up^ Aharonian, F.; Akhperjanian, A.; Barrio, J.; Bernlohr, K.; Borst, H.; Bojahr, H.; Bolz,
O.; Contreras, J.; Cortina, J.; Denninghoff, S.; Fonseca, V.; Gonzalez, J.; Gotting, N.; Heinzelmann,
G.; Hermann, G.; Heusler, A.; Hofmann, W.; Horns, D.; Iserlohe, C.; Ibarra, A.; Jung, I.; Kankanyan,
R.; Kestel, M.; Kettler, J.; Kohnle, A.; Konopelko, A.; Kornmeyer, H.; Kranich, D.; Krawczynski, H.;
Lampeitl, H. (2001). "The TeV Energy Spectrum of Markarian 501 Measured with the Stereoscopic
Telescope System of HEGRA during 1998 and 1999". The Astrophysical Journal. 546 (2): 898–
902. Bibcode:2001ApJ...546..898A.doi:10.1086/318321.

2. Jump up^ P. Villard (1900) "Sur la réflexion et la réfraction des rayons cathodiques et des
rayons déviables du radium," Comptes rendus, vol. 130, pages 1010-1012. See also: P. Villard
(1900) "Sur le rayonnement du radium," Comptes rendus, vol. 130, pages 1178-1179.

3. Jump up^ L'Annunziata, Michael F. (2007). Radioactivity: introduction and history.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. pp. 55–58. ISBN 978-0-444-52715-8.

4. Jump up^ Rutherford named γ rays on page 177 of: E. Rutherford (1903) "The magnetic and
electric deviation of the easily absorbed rays from radium," Philosophical Magazine, Series 6, vol. 5,
no. 26, pages 177-187.