#electromagneticspectrum

Sorry, but Your Microwave Needs Maintenance

It’s easy to forget about our microwave when we’re not using it—especially since many models are compact, tucked into the corners of counters, or mounted above the stove. But, like other kitchen appliances, our microwaves need basic maintenance in order to keep running smoothly. Read more…

Infrared Wavelengths--in nanometers--& its effect on the body:

🌫️Near infrared: 780–3k nM; Penetrates just below the skin, providing anti-aging benefits

🌫️Mid infrared: 3k–50k nM; Goes deeper into the skin than NIR where it enhances the benefits of FIR & NIR

🌫️Far infrared: 50k–1million nM; Penetrates the deepest, reaching joints, tendons & muscles; responsible for the heat created in an infrared sauna

γ rays are the penetrating electromagnetic radiations that arise from the radioactive decay of an atomic nuclei. They have shortest wavelength so have highest energy in electromagnetic spectrum. Their energy is in the range from few kilovolts to 8 MeV. Production source The natural sources of Gamma rays on earth include radioactive decay and secondary radiations. Moreover, they are also produced from terrestrial gamma ray flashes and noble artificial sources. Radioactive decay: they are produced by radioactive decay of radioisotopes like potassium-40. Secondary radiations: when cosmic rays collide with atmospheric particles then pair production gamma rays are produced. Terrestrial gamma ray flashes: they produce high energy emissions by high energy voltages. Notable artificial sources: they include fission in nuclear reactors and high energy physics experiments (fusion and neutral pion decay). Terrestrial natural sources: they don’t originate gamma rays from nucleus, rays are originated by lightning strikes in this case. How they are produced? As a nucleus can decay by emitting alpha or beta particle by emitting alpha or beta particle, similarly gamma rays are produced when a radioactive nucleus undergoes decay. Usually after alpha or beta decay, radioactive (daughter) nucleus remains in excited state, which can get stable only by emitting gamma ray photon, hence undergoes a gamma decay process. Usually this ejection of gamma ray requires 10-12 sec. However secondary γ-rays are produced if, photons, high energy gamma rays or electrons are bombarded on some material. Then this excited atom emits the characteristic secondary gamma rays. They are named as secondary because they are produced as second product i.e. they are not emitted instantaneously, source beam is provide to start process. Properties γ-rays have following properties   They can ionize matter so they are dangerous to biological cells. Gamma photons have no mass, no electrical charge and they travel at speed of light. Their penetration power is high so can damage internal organs relative to alpha and beta particles.   They can pass easily through body so a dense medium is required to get shield from them like lead.

In contrast to alpha and beta particle, which can be stopped by paper or skin and aluminum, respectively, gamma rays need large amount of mass like lead. They can be absorbed by those atoms which have high atomic number and high density, that’s why lead shield is 30 percent better than that of aluminum or concrete. If it ionizes atoms in chains of DNA, it can cause tumors, cancer, and genetic damage. X-rays vs γ-rays The main difference b/w x-rays and gamma rays is of the production source. X-rays are produced by the electronic transitions b/w energy levels while gamma rays are generated through the radioactive decay of an excited nucleus. Both don’t have any charge on them. Both are part of electromagnetic spectrum. Energy of gamma rays is greater than that of x-rays. Penetration power of gamma rays is more than that of x-rays. X-rays are more intense and faster than gamma rays. Uses Gamma rays provide information on some of the universe's most energetic phenomena; however they are largely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere. Instruments onboard balloons of high altitude and satellite flights, such as the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, have our only gamma-ray view of the universe. Molecular changes caused by gamma can also be used to modify the properties of semi-precious stones, and are frequently used to turn white topaz into blue topaz. Gamma radiation is also used, in a method called irradiation, to destroy living organisms. This includes the sterilization of medical devices, the elimination of decay-causing bacteria from certain foods and the avoidance of fruit and vegetables sprouting in order to preserve freshness and flavor. γ-rays are also used to treat certain types of cancer despite their cancer-causing properties, since the rays kill cancer cells as well. In the procedure called gamma-knife surgery, multiple concentrated gamma-ray beams are directed towards growth to kill the cancer cells. The beams are aimed at focusing the radiation on growth from various angles, thus reducing damage to surrounding tissues. Gamma-rays are also used in imaging techniques for diagnostic purposes in nuclear medicine. A number of different radioisotopes which emit gamma are used. For example, a radiolabeled sugar called fludeoxy glucose releases positrons that are annihilated by electrons in a PET scan, creating pairs of gamma rays that show cancer as the cancer also has a higher metabolic rate than the surrounding tissues. The most common gamma emitter used in medical applications is the technetium-99 m nuclear isomer which emits gamma rays within the same energy range as diagnostic X-rays.