| 1. | a photon of penetrating electromagnetic radiation (gamma radiation) emitted from an atomic nucleus. |
| 2. | a photon emitted by an electron as a result of internal conversion. |
| 3. | electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than approximately one tenth of a nanometer. |
gamma ray n.
Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus of an atom by radioactive decay and having energies in a range from ten thousand (104) to ten million (107) electron volts.
| gamma ray
A stream of high-energy electromagnetic radiation given off by an atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay. Because the wavelengths of gamma rays are shorter than those of x-rays, gamma rays have greater energy and penetrating power than x-rays. Gamma rays are emitted by pulsars, quasars, and radio galaxies but cannot penetrate the Earth's atmosphere. See more at radioactive decay. |