Question

Gamma rays are?
(A)High energy electrons
(B)Low energy electrons
(C)High energy electromagnetic waves
(D)High energy positrons

Answer 1

Gamma rays are one type of radiation emitted by the nucleus of elements which are radioactive. They consist of subatomic particles constituted in that element and are emitted out in the form of rays.

Complete answer:
-Gamma rays the radiation of lowest wavelength found in the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelength range of gamma rays is less than one hundredth of a nanometer i.e. $\left( {{\text{ < 1}}{{\text{0}}^{{\text{ - 12}}}}{\text{m}}} \right)$.
-Gamma rays consist of high energy photons particles of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus of radioactive elements. These rays have high frequency and high energy among all the electromagnetic radiation. Gamma rays are denoted by the symbol$\gamma$.

Therefore the answer for the above question is option (C) High energy electromagnetic waves.

Additional information: Gamma ray emission is a type of nuclear reaction in which unstable nuclei emit out the radiation of higher energy and frequency and of shorter wavelength. These rays have high penetrating capacity that they can pass through objects easily. When gamma rays pass through the living cells, they cause damage to the cells. These rays are used in cancer treatment as they can destroy the cells with their high energy by the techniques known as radiation therapy and positron emission therapy (PET).

Note: The electromagnetic spectrum consists of different radiations ranging from gamma rays of lower wavelengths to radio waves of higher wavelengths. Wavelength is inversely related to energy and frequency do gamma rays consist of higher energy rays.