What is gamma radiation?
Gamma radiation is another term for electromagnetic energy. Gamma, x-ray, ultra-violet, visible (light), infrared, microwave, radio and television waves are all forms of radiation or electromagnetic energy. The key difference between all of these forms of radiation is the amount of energy they carry. Gamma is the highest energy radiation, and has the greatest penetration potential in the energy spectrum. Gamma radiation is blocked by water and concrete, and especially dense materials such as uranium and lead, which are used as shields against exposure to this radiation. The energy in gamma radiation from cobalt-60 is 1.3 million times greater than the energy in visible radiation (light). This energy enables gamma radiation to sterilize materials but it is not high enough to make them radioactive. Food packaging, raw materials for cosmetics and over 40% of all medical products are sterilized using this technology. What is a sealed radiation source? Visible light is a form of radiation.
