1. Gamma Rays “Don’t worry, they won’t sting you!”
Emma Berger
Katie Cohen
Maeve Sockwell

2. Discovery of the Gamma Ray
French physicist Paul Ulrich Villard in 1900
When experimenting rays emitted during radioactive decay of radium
Observed new radiation with no magnetic field
Alpha and Beta particles, 2 forms of radiation were already discovered. Gamma rays were the third discovered
1914 – Rutherford and Andrade found frequency and wavelength

3. Measurements Gamma rays have wavelengths between
10-8 meters and meters
Gamma rays have a frequency between 1018 Hertz and 1021 Hertz
At the end of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
The most energetic wave

4. Applications of Gamma Rays
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries
Irradiate food used as preservatives
Study stars, galaxies and other celestial bodies

5. Applications Continued
Look for weaknesses and damage in cars, airplanes, and heavy machinery
Used in telescopes to produce detailed pictures of outer space

6. Harmful Effects on Humans WATCH OUT!
Causes significant biochemical changes in living cells
Molecules lose electrons and reactive intermediates are formed
Collide with particles in the body mutating them
Causes radiation sickness and damage to DNA
Can kill cells

7. This is what a gamma ray looks like in the eyes of a human:

8. Did you see it?

9. Are Gamma Rays Visible?
Cannot be seen by humans… you’re not going blind!
Humans have physical limitations on the wavelengths their eyes can perceive
Can only be seen through a gamma ray telescope
Not visible to organisms
If gamma rays were visible, celestial bodies could be seen in a different perspective

10. Hechos Interesantes!!!
The Greek letter “gamma” is used to represent a gamma ray
They are created throughout the universe in violent explosions
On Earth, they originate from the decay of radioactive elements
Modern high-energy x-rays produced by linear accelerators usually have higher energy than gamma rays produced by radioactive gamma decay

11. Bibliography
Daniel, Sharan L. Stanford Report. Rep. Stanford University News, 25 Oct Web. 9 May <
"The Electromagnetic Spectrum." Gondar Design Science. 10 Nov Web. 10 May <
"Gamma-rays." NASA Science. 27 Mar Web. 09 May <

12. Bibliography
Nagel, Rob. "Gamma Rays." Science Resource Center. Gale Group, Web. 7 Sept <
"NOVA Online | Death Star | Tour the Spectrum: Gamma Ray." PBS. Web. 07 May <
Western, A. “Electromagnetic Radiation.” Technology and Applied Sciences. Marshall Cavendish Digital, Web. 09 May <
Young, Robyn V. "Gamma Radiation." Science Resource Center. Gale Group, Web. 7 May <

13. Picture Bibliography Cancer Cell:
Electromagnetic Spectrum:
Galaxies:
Gamma Ray Telescope:
Greek Letter Gamma:
Villard:

14. THE END!