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==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
'''Gamma-rays''' are a type of [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiation]] [[emit]]ed from the [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] of an [[Unstable Isotope|unstable isotope]] and are the highest [[frequency]] and shortest [[wavelength]] of [[Electromagnetic Wave|electromagnetic wave]].
===About Gamma-raysas Electromagnetic Waves===
: [[Gamma-ray]]s are [[Transverse Wave|transverse waves]].
: [[Gamma-ray]]s can travel through a [[vacuum]] as well as through [[gas]]es in the [[Earth's Atmosphere|Earth's atmosphere]].
: [[Gamma-ray]]s are [[emit]]ted from the [[Atomic Nucleus|atomic nucleus]] of [[Unstable Isotope|unstable]] [[Radioactive|radioactive]] [[isotope]]s.
: [[Gamma-ray]]s cause [[electron]]s in [[material]]s to gain enough [[energy]] to leave [[atom]]s creating [[ion]]s which can destroy [[Chemical Bond|chemical bonds]].
: [[Gamma-ray]]s are the most [[Penetration Depth|penetrating]], but least [[ionising]] form of [[Ionising Radiation]].
: [[Gamma-ray]]s can penetrate most [[material]]s except for thick [[lead]] and thick sheets of other [[element]]s more [[dense]] than [[lead]] on the [[Periodic Table|periodic table]].
: [[Gamma-ray]]s cannot pass through heavy [[metal]]s ([[metal]]s with a high [[Atomic Mass|atomic mass]]).
====Dangers====
: [[Gamma-ray]]s can cause cancer because [[gamma-ray]]s can [[Penetration Depth|penetrate]] soft [[tissue]] and can ionise and damage [[DNA]] [[molecule]]s in the body [[Cell (Biology)|cells]] leading to a [[mutation]].
: High intensity [[gamma-ray]]s can cause [[Radiation Sickness|radiation sickness]] because they can ionise and damage all parts of a [[Cell (Biology)|biology]] killing that [[Cell (Biology)|cell]].
===About Gamma Rays as Ionising Radiation===
: '''Gamma-rays''' may also be referred to as '''gamma radiation''' and is written with the symbol <math>\gamma</math>.
: '''Gamma-rays''' are a the highest [[frequency]] [[Electromagnetic Wave|electromagnetic wave]].
: '''Gamma-rays''' have a [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] of 0 and [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative charge]] of 0.
: '''Gamma-rays''' are [[emit]]ted when a [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] is has excess [[Vibrational Energy|vibrational energy]] after it has [[Radioactive Decay|decayed]] via [[Alpha Particle|alpha]] or [[Beta Particle|beta]] [[emission]].
====Charge====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:GammaRayCharge.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |Scientist were able to determine the [[Electrical Charge|charge]] of a [[Gamma-ray|<math>\gamma</math>-ray]] by sending it between two [[Electrical Charge|electrically charged]] plates and observing its path.
The '''<math>\gamma</math>-ray''' continues in a straight line so it must be [[Neutral Charge|neutral]].
|}
====Penetration Depth====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:GammaPenetrationAir.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |[[Gamma-ray|Gamma-rays]] can travel an infinite distance through [[air]] and the chances of [[colliding]] with an [[atom]] or [[molecule]] are almost non-existent.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:GammaPenetration.png|center|200px]]
| style="height:20px; width:400px; text-align:left;" |[[Gamma-ray|Gamma-rays]] can penetrate paper and sheets of [[metal]] foil but cannot penetrate more than a few cm of [[Lead]] or a [[metre]] of concrete.
|}
====Ionising Potential====
: With no [[Electrical Charge|electrical charge]], '''<math>\gamma</math>-rays''' are the least [[Ionising Radiation|ionising]] of the three [[Ionising Radiation|ionising radiations]]. It is capable of knocking out one [[electron]] from an [[atom]] or [[molecule]] by being [[Absorb (Physics)|absorbed]] by an [[electron]] in the [[Outer Shell|outer shell].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:GammaIonise.png|center|600px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:600px; text-align:left;" |When a [[Gamma-ray|gamma-ray]] interacts with an [[atom]] the [[Gamma-ray|gammarray]] is [[Absorb (Physics)|absorbed]] by an [[electron]] in the [[Outer Shell|outer shell]] causing the [[electron]] to escape '''ionising''' the [[atom]].
|}
===Precautions===
: [[Gamma-ray|Gamma radiation]] is the least [[Ionising Radiation|ionising]] but most [[Penetration Depth|penetrating]].
: [[Gamma-ray]] sources are kept inside a block of [[lead]] with a hole that only allows the [[Gamma-ray|gamma-rays]] out in one direction.
: Outside the body an [[organism]] cannot easily be protected from [[Gamma-ray|gamma radiation]] as it can pass through the [[air]] unobstructed and needs thick sheets of [[Lead]] to block it. [[Gamma-ray|Gamma radiation]] can pass through the [[skin]] and [[Ionising Radiation|ionise]] [[tissue]] deep within the body.
: When handling a source of [[Gamma-ray|gamma radiation]] the precautions which should be taken are:
:*Wear gloves - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]].
:*Use tongs to handle the source, never touch it - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]].
:*Stand behind a thick sheet of [[Lead]] when not using it - to prevent [[irradiation]].
:*Aim the source away from any living [[organism]] - to prevent [[irradiation]].
:*Store the source in a sealed [[Lead]] container - to prevent [[Radioactive Contamination|contamination]] and [[irradiation]].
===Equation===
<math>{}_Z^AX \rightarrow {}_Z^AX + {}_0^0\gamma</math>
<math>{}_{42}^{99}Mo \rightarrow {}_{42}^{99}Mo + {}_0^0\gamma</math>
====Example Calculations====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:center;" |'''Find the [[element]] 'X' and calculate its [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] 'A' and its [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative atomic charge]] 'Z'.'''
<math>{}_{90}^{231}Th \rightarrow {}_{Z}^{A}X + {}_0^0\gamma</math>
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:center;" |'''Find the [[element]] 'X' and calculate its [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] 'A' and its [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative atomic charge]] 'Z'.'''
<math>{}_{Z}^{A}X \rightarrow {}_{77}^{192}Ir + {}_0^0\gamma</math>
|-
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:left;" |'''1. Calculate the [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] by looking at the top row of numbers.'''
231 = A + 0
A = 231
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:left;" |'''1. Calculate the [[Relative Atomic Mass|relative atomic mass]] by looking at the top row of numbers.'''
A = 192 + 0
A = 192
|-
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:left;" |'''2. Calculate the [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative atomic charge]] by looking at the bottom row of numbers.'''
90 = Z + 0
Z = 90
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:left;" |'''2. Calculate the [[Relative Atomic Charge|relative atomic charge]] by looking at the bottom row of numbers.'''
Z = 77 + 0
Z = 77
|-
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:left;" |'''3. It's the same [[element]].'''
<math>{}_{90}^{231}Th</math>
| style="height:20px; width:300px; text-align:left;" |'''3. It's the same [[element]].'''
<math>{}_{77}^{192}Ir</math>
|}
===References===
====AQA====
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851354/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851354&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=9012a0d354024419214fb3ad5ac44ba0 ''Gamm rays, page 344, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851370/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851370&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=01c69b0ae058f809cf636033e6ba793e ''Gamma rays, page 194, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782946403/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782946403&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=32a0abb60dff015b15b50e9b1d7b4644 ''Gamma rays, pages 115, 122, 200, 208, 211, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945970&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=a120d24dcc7cc7a58192069a3aafc1d2 ''Gamma rays, pages 127, 134, 242, 250, 251, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945598/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945598&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=ad276ad49df77ab4b40ab4fd0fe09920 ''Gamma rays, pages 198, 199, 223, 225, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851362/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851362&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=7d78d70a2044ee9982dae010c94af92a ''Gamma rays, pages 261, 266, 268, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/178294558X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=178294558X&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=f0dfb66dafcb0c6e9449e7b1a4ae1ac208 ''Gamma rays, pages 44, 45, 76, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945598/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945598&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=ad276ad49df77ab4b40ab4fd0fe09921 ''Gamma rays; dangers, pages 201, 228, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/178294558X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=178294558X&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=f0dfb66dafcb0c6e9449e7b1a4ae1ac209 ''Gamma rays; dangers, pages 47, 48, 81, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851370/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851370&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=01c69b0ae058f809cf636033e6ba793e ''Gamma rays; effects on the body, pages 102, 199, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851370/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851370&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=01c69b0ae058f809cf636033e6ba793e ''Gamma rays; emission during nuclear decay, pages 94, 199, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851354/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851354&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=9012a0d354024419214fb3ad5ac44ba0 ''Gamma rays; properties of, page 347, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851370/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851370&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=01c69b0ae058f809cf636033e6ba793e ''Gamma rays; properties of, pages 96-7, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1471851370/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1471851370&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=01c69b0ae058f809cf636033e6ba793e ''Gamma rays; uses and applications, page 201, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/178294558X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=178294558X&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=f0dfb66dafcb0c6e9449e7b1a4ae1ac210 ''Gamma rays; uses, pages 48, 80, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008158770/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0008158770&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=ec31595e720e1529e49876c3866fff6e ''Gamma; ray, pages 109, 115, 124, 126, 197, 213, 216-17, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA '']
====Edexcel====
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1292120207/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1292120207&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=22455ff53961978667722edaa64c0be5 ''Gamma rays, page 41, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782948163/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782948163&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=0fdbfd5dd397d6e24a9dfb250f08587f ''Gamma rays, pages 127, 128, 157, 160, GCSE Physics, CGP, Edexcel '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945741/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945741&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=30da4f2178da182547b62a7329d13b57 ''Gamma rays, pages 168, 171, 174, 175, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1292120193/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1292120193&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=572df39392fb4200db8391d98ae6314e ''Gamma rays, pages 344, 349, 362, GCSE Combined Science, Pearson Edexcel '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945733/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945733&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=2a2dbec9db6bf5766c0458d908fa0a52 ''Gamma rays, pages 43, 47, 51, 52, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1292120223/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1292120223&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=068ecf40278c32406a7f1c6e66751417 ''Gamma rays, pages 76, 85, 98, GCSE Physics, Pearson Edexcel '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782948163/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782948163&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=0fdbfd5dd397d6e24a9dfb250f08587f ''Gamma rays; dangers, pages 136, 165, 166, GCSE Physics, CGP, Edexcel '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782948163/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782948163&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=0fdbfd5dd397d6e24a9dfb250f08587f ''Gamma rays; uses, pages 135, 169-171, GCSE Physics, CGP, Edexcel '']
====OCR====
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945695/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945695&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=ceafcc80bcad6b6754ee97a0c7ceea53 ''Gamma radiation, pages 192, 194, 197, 198, 200, Gateway GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, OCR '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782945687/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782945687&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=9a598e52189317a20311d7a632747bc9 ''Gamma radiation, pages 66, 68, 69, 74-76, 78-80, Gateway GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, OCR '']
:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0198359837/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0198359837&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=3c4229e8b023b2b60768e7ea2307cc6f ''Gamma rays, pages 155,157, 159, 172-173, 175,179, 183, Gateway GCSE Physics, Oxford, OCR '']