gammasäteilytys

Gammasäteilytys, also known as gamma radiation, is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from the nucleus of an atom. It is one of the three types of ionizing radiation, the others being alpha and beta particles. Gamma rays are produced by the decay of radioactive isotopes, nuclear reactions, and high-energy processes in astrophysical objects. They have the highest energy and shortest wavelength among the three types of ionizing radiation.

Gamma rays are highly penetrating and can pass through most materials, including human tissue. This makes them useful in medical applications such as radiation therapy for cancer treatment and in industrial radiography for inspecting the interior of objects. However, due to their high energy and penetrating power, gamma rays can also be dangerous if not properly controlled. Prolonged exposure to gamma radiation can increase the risk of developing cancer and other health issues.

The measurement of gamma radiation is typically done using a Geiger-Müller counter or a scintillation detector. The unit of measurement for gamma radiation is the gray (Gy), which quantifies the amount of energy deposited per unit mass of material. To protect against gamma radiation, shielding materials such as lead, concrete, or water are used to absorb or block the radiation. Additionally, time, distance, and shielding are the three fundamental principles of radiation protection that are used to minimize exposure to gamma radiation.