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GCSE

Measuring and Detecting Radioactivity

Question

What are gamma rays absorbed by?

2 years ago

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Hubert Cruickshank


1 Answer

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Gamma rays have very small chances of interacting with an electron due to the photonic nature having an oscillating electrical and magnetic component. When it interacts with an electron, the electron may be emitted from its orbital if the energy is enough to overcome its binding energy. So, in essence, the gamma-ray is absorbed by the atom and an electron is ejected.

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