Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A gamma ray photon is a type of electromagnetic radiation with the highest energy and shortest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. It is produced during nuclear reactions or radioactive decay.
The frequency of a wave refers to the number of complete cycles it undergoes in one second. In the case of a gamma ray photon, it represents how fast the waves are oscillating.
Energy Level: In physics, energy levels refer to discrete states that particles or systems can exist in. For gamma ray photons, different energy levels correspond to different frequencies and wavelengths.
The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all forms of electromagnetic radiation, ranging from radio waves with low energy and long wavelength to gamma rays with high energy and short wavelength.