Gamma Rays

Gamma Rays
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Gamma Rays
The transmission of electromagnetic radiation occurs in waves with different frequencies and wavelengths (Diehl, Siegert, Hillebrandt, Krause, Greiner, Maeda & Zhang, 2015). The range of wavelengths over which this transfer occurs is known as the electromagnetic spectrum (Diehl et al., 2015). The electromagnetic spectrum is divided into seven regions depending on the wavelengths, frequency and energy (Diehl et al., 2015). Gamma rays are part of this range. Their characteristic wavelengths measure less than 100 Pictometers whereas frequencies exceed 1018 hertz (Diehl et al., 2015). This paper discusses the uses of gamma rays in medicine, industry, and food industry.
Uses of Gamma Rays
Gamma rays have a wide range of applications in medicine where they play a particularly significant role in the study and treatment of internal organs. Particularly, they are used in radioactive tracers, to sterilize medical equipment, and kill cancer cells (Peng & Wang, 2015).
In the industrial setting, these rays are used in the detection of defects in metal castings (Peng & Wang, 2015). They also aid in the detection of points of weakness in welded structures (Peng & Wang, 2015). The detection of weaknesses and defects is achieved through a process known as industrial radiography which entails the bombardment of metals with gamma rays (Peng & Wang, 2015). Gamma cameras indicate the defects as dark points on created images.

In the same manner they are used to sterilize medical equipments, gamma rays are used in the food industry to preserve foods (Peng & Wang, 2015). This role is specifically performed by a particular form of radionuclide known as Cobalt 60 (Peng & Wang, 2015). Whereas the gamma radiation produced by cobalt 60 is sufficient irradiate decay causing bacteria, the dose is not sufficient to cause harm to humans (Peng & Wang, 2015).
Conclusion
Gamma rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, the range of wavelengths through which electromagnetic radiation is transferred. Gamma rays have a range of applications in industry, medicine and food industry.

References
Diehl, R., Siegert, T., Hillebrandt, W., Krause, M., Greiner, J., Maeda, K., … & Zhang, X. (2015). SN2014J gamma rays from the 56Ni decay chain. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 574, A72.Peng, P. C., & Wang, C. Y. (2015). Use of gamma rays in the inspection of steel wire ropes in suspension bridges. NDT & E International, 75, 80-86.