Gamma Decay

Introduction

Gamma decay is a type of radioactive decay where an excited nucleus emits a gamma ray to reach a lower energy state. Unlike alpha and beta decay, gamma decay does not change the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus, thus, the parent and daughter isotopes are the same.

Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are high-energy photons. They are the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation, with energies above 100 keV and frequencies above 10 Hz.

Energy Transition

In gamma decay, the nucleus transitions from a higher energy state to a lower energy state. The energy difference between these states is carried away by the emitted gamma ray. This can be represented as:

where is the initial energy of the nucleus, is the final energy of the nucleus, and is the energy of the gamma ray.

Characteristic Gamma Decay

Gamma decay often follows other types of decay (alpha or beta) which leave the nucleus in an excited state. In this context, the emitted gamma rays have specific energies that are characteristic of the decaying isotope, making gamma spectroscopy a useful tool for identifying radioactive isotopes.

Applications

Gamma rays have numerous applications, including medical imaging (such as PET scans), cancer treatment (gamma knife), industrial radiography, and astronomical observations.

Hazards and Protection

Due to their high energy, gamma rays can be hazardous to living organisms. Shielding from gamma radiation requires dense materials, often lead or concrete. The effectiveness of shielding is determined by the half-value layer, the thickness of material required to reduce the gamma radiation by half.

Conclusion

Gamma decay plays a fundamental role in many areas of physics and has numerous practical applications. Understanding its principles is key to harnessing its potential benefits and mitigating its risks.

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