You may know about the electromagnetic spectrum in some sense but most people do not know the components. Gamma radiation is just one section of the spectrum. In fact it is the most energetic of them all with a wavelenth of just 10-11, and a frequency range of > 3×10^19. Although gamma rays and x-rays are thought to be quite similar, gamma rays are one of the most difficult to figure out. But don't get too close because ray bursts release more energy in 10 seconds than the sun will in 10 billion years.
In order to create these waves in space, extreme conditions have to occur. The source may be colliding compact objects like neutron stars or white dwarfs. Wave blasts also might happen from supernovae which exlode at the end of their lives. Although these blasts often happen, there is still some mystery as to where they are really coming from.
Some uses for this radiation is just how it sounds, radiation treatment. Gamma radiation is used for many medical reasons. When gamma rays pass through the human body it can damage human tissue, which might sound dangerous but for chemotherapy it is essential. Because these rays kill cell they use gamma rays to target the cancerous cells and destroy them from the body. Besides this use, gamma rays have been used to sterilize medical equipment, pastuerize certain foods, and improve the durability of woods.
So although scientists still are questioning where exactly these rays are coming from, we know they are the most energetic out of the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and so far we are putting it to good use.
Citations:
"Gamma-Ray." ESA Science & Technology. ESA, 3 Feb. 2005. Web. 5 Apr. 2010.
"Gamma-Rays." Electromagnetic Spectrum. NASA, 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 5 Apr. 2010
"Gamma Rays." Radiation Protection. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 23
Feb. 2010. Web. 5 Apr. 2010.
Images:
Gamma Ray Observatory
Radiation symbols
4 comments:
Your blog was really interesting to read. I thought it was cool that even though Gamma Rays can hurt the body, they are used to help the body.
I liked your blog because it wasn't too long, so i didn't get bored, but it also had good information. I liked the pictures you used, and like Malone13 said, it's cool how they hurt you and help.
Yes I also agree that its very interesting how it hurts our body yet we use it to help our health. Very nice information and I was very surprised it could emit more energy in 10 seconds than the sun in 10 billion years!
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