Everyone has probably heard of three types of radiation - alpha, beta and gamma. All of them arise in the process of radioactive decay of a substance, and they have both common properties and differences. The most dangerous is the last type of radiation. What is he like?
The nature of radioactive decay
To understand in more detail the properties of gamma decay, it is necessary to consider the nature of ionizing radiation. This definition means that the energy of this type of radiation is very high - when it falls into another atom, called the "target atom", it knocks out an electron moving in its orbit. In this case, the target atom becomes a positively charged ion (therefore, radiation was called ionizing). This radiation differs from ultraviolet or infrared in high energy.
In general, alpha, beta, and gamma decays have common properties. You can imagine an atom in the form of a small poppy seed. Then the orbit of the electrons will be a soap bubble around it. With alpha, beta, and gamma decay, a tiny particle flies out of this seed. In this case, the nuclear charge changes, which means that a new chemical element has been formed. A speck of dust rushes with gigantic speed and crashes into the electron shell of the target atom. Having lost an electron, the target atom becomes a positively charged ion. However, the chemical element remains the same, because the core of the target atom remains the same. Ionization is a process of a chemical nature, almost the same process occurs during the interaction of some metals that dissolve in acids.
Where else is gamma decay?
But ionizing radiation occurs not only during radioactive decay. They also occur in nuclear explosions and in nuclear reactors. On the Sun and other stars, as well as in a hydrogen bomb, light nuclei are synthesized, accompanied by ionizing radiation. In X-ray equipment and charged particle accelerators , this process also occurs. The main property that alpha, beta, gamma decays have is the highest ionization energy.
And the differences between these three types of radiation are determined by their nature. Radiation was discovered at the end of the 19th century. Then no one knew what this phenomenon was. Therefore, three types of radiation were called letters of the Latin alphabet. Gamma radiation was discovered in 1910 by a scientist named Henry Gregg. Gamma decay is of the same nature as sunlight, infrared rays, and radio waves. By their properties, gamma rays are photon radiation, but the energy of the photons contained in them is very high. In other words, it is radiation with a very short wavelength.
Gamma ray properties
This radiation penetrates extremely easily through any obstacles. The denser the material stands in its way, the better it holds it back. Most often, lead or concrete structures are used for this purpose. In the air, gamma rays easily overcome tens and even thousands of meters.
Gamma decay is very dangerous for humans. When it is exposed, skin and internal organs can be damaged. Beta radiation can be compared to firing small bullets, and gamma to firing needles. During a nuclear flare, in addition to gamma radiation, the formation of neutron fluxes also occurs. Gamma rays hit the earth with cosmic radiation. In addition to them, it carries protons and other particles to the Earth.
The effect of gamma rays on living organisms
If you compare alpha, beta and gamma decays, the latter will be the most dangerous for living organisms. The propagation velocity of this type of radiation is equal to the speed of light. It is precisely because of its high speed that it quickly enters living cells, causing their destruction. How?
On the way, γ-radiation leaves a large number of ionized atoms, which in turn ionize a new portion of atoms. Cells that have been exposed to powerful gamma radiation change at different levels of their structure. Transformed, they begin to decompose and poison the body. And the last step is the appearance of defective cells that can no longer properly perform their functions.
In humans, different organs have different degrees of sensitivity to gamma radiation. The consequences depend on the dose of ionizing radiation received. As a result of this, various physical processes can occur in the body, biochemistry can be disturbed. The most vulnerable are hematopoietic organs, lymphatic and digestive systems, as well as DNA structures. This effect is dangerous for humans and the fact that radiation accumulates in the body. And also it has a latent period of exposure.
Gamma decay formula
To calculate the energy of gamma radiation, you can use the following formula:
E = hv = hc / λ
In this formula, h is the Planck constant, v is the frequency of a quantum of electromagnetic energy, c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength.