gamma radiation

views updated May 29 2018

gamma radiation Form of very short wavelength electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nuclei of some radioactive atoms. High-energy gamma rays have even greater powers of penetration than X-rays. They are used in medicine to treat cancer and in the food industry to kill microorganisms. See also radioactivity

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gamma radiation

views updated Jun 11 2018

gam·ma ra·di·a·tion • n. gamma rays.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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gamma radiation

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