Question

Discuss radio waves and gamma rays. Describe two ways that they are different.

Answer 1

Radio waves and gamma waves are both electromagnetic radiation, and so both travel at the speed of light. The difference between the two though is in their wavelength and therefore their energy, which is described by \[E=\frac{c}{\lambda}\]Gamma rays have a very very small wavelength (on the order of 10^-12) compared to radio waves which can have a wavelengths up to a few kilometers. Because of the very small wavelength gamma rays have they can be dangerous imparting their energy onto cellular molecules and causing unwanted chemical reactions within the body.