Answer to Question #165947 in Physics for Sam

Question

State two similarities and one difference between X-rays and gamma radiation

Answer 1

Similarities:

(i) Both the gamma rays and X-rays are the electromagnetic waves.

(ii) Both the gamma rays and X-rays travel with the speed $3 \cdot10^8 ms^{-1}$ in vaccum.

Difference:

The key difference between gamma rays and X-rays is how they are produced. Gamma rays originate from the settling process of an excited nucleus of a radionuclide after it undergoes radioactive decay whereas X-rays are produced when electrons strike a target or when electrons rearrange within an atom.