Sources of Gamma Rays

• Gamma-ray bursts: This is the most powerful gamma explosion that happened in the universe. It released more energy than the sun can in its entire lifetime. 
• Supernova: During a supernova explosion, massive amounts of gamma rays are produced. 
• Lightning also produces gamma rays in the earth’s atmosphere. 

Properties of Gamma Rays 

Following are the properties of gamma rays:

• Gamma rays contain ~10-12 m frequency electromagnetic waves. 
• Gamma radiation is an exceptionally incredible photon with an extremely short frequency (0.0005 to 0.1 nm). 
• Gamma discharges frequently go with alpha and beta emanations as an energised core falls into a lower and more steady energy condition. 
• Gamma rays are high recurrence electromagnetic waves without mass and charge. This radioactive outflow has the minimal force of ionisation. 
• These are transmitted because of the change from a higher energy state to bring down the energy of the energised core. 
• Gamma rays transmit energy when an electron moves to a lower energy state by producing a photon to an infrared reach in the bright reach.
• The entrancing power is the most noteworthy for gamma rays. They have minimal ability to ionise any material. However, they are the riskiest.
• Gamma rays have the most extraordinary infiltrating power, and a couple of centimetres of lead sheet or a couple of metres of cement can not stop them. In specific cases, they might even go through them.

Basic terms related to Gamma rays

Ionising power/Ionisation potential

Ionising power of radiation is its capacity to ionise other molecules when it passes through those molecules. When the radiation passes through a medium, the atoms of that medium lose electrons and get ionised. Gamma rays have very low ionising power.

Penetration effect

The ability of radiation to pass through matter, such as the human body, walls, etc., is known as the penetration effect. Gamma rays have a high penetrating power.  

In general, the greater the mass present, the greater the ionising power and the lower the penetration power.

Comparison of alpha, beta, and gamma rays

From the above discussion, it is quite clear how gamma rays originated, and how it is different from other radioactive rays. 

Gamma Ray Uses

1. One of the most important uses of gamma-rays is in cancer treatment. Radiotherapy uses gamma-rays to kill cancer cells. 
2. Medical equipment is often sterilised using gamma-rays. 
3. To check weak points in a large oil pipeline.
4. They are used in nuclear reactors. 
5. They are used by scientists to detect astronomical objects. 

Harmful effects of gamma-rays

1. Mild radiation sickness: Exposure to even a very small dose of gamma for a prolonged time can lead to fatigue and weakness.
2. Severe radiation sickness: Problems like skin burn, hair loss, headache and poor healing can occur.
3. Cancer: Being exposed to gamma-rays for a longer time can cause cancer (blood, hepatic, etc.).  

Conclusion

Gamma rays are one of the most important types of EM waves. Due to its very high value of penetration power, an object that radiates these rays is conserved in lead-coated boxes. In physics and astronomy, these rays have immense uses. For example, with the help of gamma-ray wave spectroscopy, scientists measure the amount of gamma-ray radiated from a sample and by measuring this amount, different elements can be identified. This concept is applied by researchers to know the geochemistry and composition of other planets.