Why do X rays and Gamma rays have different momentum in a vacuum?
Answers
Explanation:
They are a form of nuclear radiation. High energy waves such as X-rays and gamma rays are transmitted through body tissues with very little absorption. This makes them ideal for internal imaging. X-rays are absorbed by dense structures like bones, which is why X-ray photos are used to help identify broken bones.
Answer:
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation; their basic physical properties are identical to those of the more familiar components of the electromagnetic spectrum—visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation. As with other forms of electromagnetic radiation, X-rays can be described as coupled waves of electric and magnetic fields traveling at the speed of light (about 300,000 km, or 186,000 miles, per second). Their characteristic wavelengths and frequencies can be demonstrated and measured through the interference effects that result from the overlap of two or more waves in space. X-rays also exhibit particle-like properties; they can be described as a flow of photons carrying discrete amounts of energy and momentum. This dual nature is a property of all forms of radiation and matter and is comprehensively described by the theory of quantum mechanics.
Gamma Rays and X Rays
Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiations and, except for energy, are identical with X rays, light photons, and radio waves. For most radiation applications, high energy is required; therefore, in this chapter we discuss only γ rays and X rays, and we are not concerned with lower-energy radiations.
The classification of a quantum as a γ ray or an X ray depends only on its origin and not on its energy. Any electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from a nucleus is called a γ ray. If the radiation originates in the atomic electron shells it is called an X ray. Thus, a 20-keV y ray and a 20-keV X ray could be emitted from the same atom and the radiations would be exactly the same.
Gamma rays from radioactive decay processes result only in the deexcitation of a nucleus that is left in an excited energy state following α or β decay. The emission of γ radiation does not involve a nuclear transmutation. The nuclear isotope does not change during a γ-ray emission process.
Gamma Radiation of Nuclei
Gamma radiation is a rigid electromagnetic radiation at the short-wave edge of the electromagnetic wave spectrum. By tradition, gamma radiation refers to radiation originating in nuclei, and X-ray radiation arises in the electron shells of atoms.
The rest mass, the electric charge, and the magnetic moment of the gamma quantum equal to zero.
Gamma radiation is emitted, absorbed, and transported as separate quanta. The energy of gamma quantum is related to the frequency ν and the wavelength λ by the relation
Gamma quanta are emitted when the nucleus passes to the ground state from the excited ones, which are formed either in the processes of alpha or beta decay, or in nuclear reactions.
The energy spectrum of gamma radiation is always discrete.
The probabilities of gamma transitions are determined by the selection rules in a manner analogous to that for optical spectra.
For additional information about gamma radiation and gamma source
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