Difference between revisions 6699476 and 6997222 on simplewiki

{{for|other uses|Gamma (disambiguation)}}
'''Gamma rays''' (γ-rays) are [[electromagnetic]] waves with the smallest [[wavelength]]s in the [[electromagnetic spectrum]].<ref>The electromagnetic spectrum is made of many types of waves that are like light, but you can not see all of them.</ref> They were discovered in 1900 by [[Paul Villard]], and named in 1903 by [[Ernest Rutherford]].
(out of all types of light, this might have the thinnest wave.)
Gamma rays are like [[x-rays]], but the waves are smaller in [[wavelength]]. Both gamma rays and x-rays are [[photons]] with very high energies, and gamma have even more energy. They are also a type of [[ionizing radiation]]. Gamma rays can travel through thicker materials than x-rays can.

(contracted; show full)

Doctors also use gamma rays to find disease. In hospitals, doctors can give patients radioactive medicine which emits gamma rays. Doctors can find some types of disease by measuring gamma rays which come from a patient afterward. Hospitals can also use gamma rays to sterilise (clean)  things as [[disinfectant]]s do.<ref name=igcse />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Nuclear physics]]