What is Gamma: Definition and 711 Discussions

Gamma (uppercase Γ, lowercase γ; Greek: γάμμα gámma) is the third letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 3. In Ancient Greek, the letter gamma represented a voiced velar stop /ɡ/. In Modern Greek, this letter represents either a voiced velar fricative or a voiced palatal fricative.
In the International Phonetic Alphabet and other modern Latin-alphabet based phonetic notations, it represents the voiced velar fricative.

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  1. J

    Gamma Function Limits: Proving \Gamma(x) \to 0 as x \to -\infty

    Homework Statement The absolute value of the gamma function \Gamma (x) that is defined on the negative real axis tends to zero as x \to - \infty . Right? But how do I prove it? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I've tried to use Gauss's Formula...
  2. F

    Solving the Equation for Trace: Gamma Matrices Explained

    Homework Statement Solve the equation. What is it's trace?Homework Equations k γμ γ5 o γ\nu γ5 The Attempt at a Solution I don't think this is reduced enough. γμkμγ5γ\nuo\nuγ\nuγ5 trace: just got rid of gamma5 with anticommutation. -Tr[γμkμγ\nuo\nuγ\nu]
  3. H

    How do I expand gamma matrices without adding a unity matrix?

    \pi = \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}{\partial \dot{q}} = i \hbar \gamma^0 How do I expand i\hbar \gamma^0 the matrix in this term, I am a bit lost. All the help would be appreciated!
  4. J

    So why does the atmosphere block gamma rays but not UV rays?

    Or light rays for that matter. Where does the window open in the atmosphere on the em spectrum, UV? Why is that?
  5. H

    Momentum term to be expanded in dirac gamma matrices

    Homework Statement I need help to expand some matrices Homework Equations \pi = \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}{\partial \dot{q}} = i \hbar \gamma^0 The Attempt at a Solution How do I expand i\hbar \gamma^0 the matrix in this term, I am a bit lost. All the help would be...
  6. L

    Proving an Identity Involving Gamma Matrices: Help Needed

    Can anyone help me in proving the following identity: (\gamma ^{\mu} )^T = \gamma ^0 \gamma ^{\mu} \gamma ^0 I understand that one can proceed by proving it say in standard representation and then proving that it's invariant under unitary transformations. this last thing is the one...
  7. D

    From an integral to a gamma to a series

    Homework Statement Using Euler's Gamma and a proper substitution prove the relation above: \int_0^1 1/x^x=\sum_{n=1}^\infty 1/n^n Homework Equations How to resolve this XD? The Attempt at a Solution
  8. C

    Proof of traceless gamma matrices

    Hi I'm trying to figure out the proof of why the gamma matrices are traceless. I found a proof at wikipedia under 'trace identities' here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_matrices (it's the 0'th identity) and from the clifford algebra relation \{\gamma^\mu, \gamma^\nu\} = 2\eta^{\mu \nu}...
  9. C

    Imaginary eigenvalues of gamma matrices

    Hi! I'm reading David Tong's notes on QFT and I'm now reading on the chapter on the dirac equation http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/qft/four.pdf and I stumbled across a statement where he claims that (\gamma^0)^2 = 1 \ \ \Rightarrow \text{real eigenvalues} while (\gamma^i)^2 = -1 \...
  10. T

    Gamma Ray Energy from Decay of Boron

    Homework Statement I have to figure how many beta particles are released and how much energy is released as gamma rays in the complete decay of 1000 atoms of (12/5) Boron. Homework Equations Mass of one boron atom is 10.811 g. I think we may be able to use E = mc^2 somehow but I'm not sure...
  11. F

    Are Gamma Rays Always Part of Nuclear Reactions?

    Making it short : Do gamma rays ALWAYS accompany a nuclear reaction?? I was thinking, since there are only three types of radioactive decay, alpha, beta and gamma. I don't quite understand how gamma radiation will always occur. Isn't it going to be just ONE of the three types? /Help :)
  12. L

    Gamma ray colliding with an electron

    Homework Statement A beam of gamma rays of energy 1.00 MeV are aimed at a set of freely moving gold particles. The gamma rays reflected back have an energy of 0.2035 MeV. How is this result consistent with the model of a gamma ray reflecting from an isolated electron initially at rest...
  13. D

    Gamma Ray Microscope: Can it be Directed and Focused?

    I was in my AP Physics class discussing wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum and I came up with the idea to attempt a gamma ray microscope. Of course this is extremely dangerous, so I will have to be cautious (and use a lot of lead). Is there a way to produce gamma rays? I know they...
  14. S

    Calculating Gamma Ray Count Rate Error in 20 secs

    Homework Statement A detector is used to count the number of gamma rays from a radioactive source if the number of counts is 10000 in exactly 20 secs then what is the error in counting rate per sec? Homework Equations- no idea. The Attempt at a Solution- As per our syllabus we...
  15. N

    Analyzing Line Integral over Non-Exact Region |x|+|y|=4

    Analyzing an integral over a non-exact region for gamma defined by |x|+|y|=4 The following was similar to a problem on a calculus final that I got wrong. It is an extension of a problem in R.C. Buck "Advanced Calculus" on page 501. Similar to knowing the trick to integrating e^{|x|} (which...
  16. S

    The effects of the alpha, beta and gamma radiation on humans

    I have had a great deal of trouble finding sources that are specific as to how exactly radiation damages the body, it usually just says what damage radiation causes but not how it causes it, so I have compiled what I have found and I want to know if it is accurate and to fill in sequence of...
  17. marcus

    130 GeV gamma line-new physics? DM-detectivework-Lisanti videos

    130 GeV gamma line--new physics? DM-detectivework--Lisanti videos An interesting cluster of new topics come out in two August 2012 PIRSA video talks by Mariangela Lisanti. http://pirsa.org/12080010 Illuminating the 130 GeV Gamma Line with Continuum Photons Speaker(s): Mariangela Lisanti...
  18. M

    Simulate Gamma Rays from Radioactive Decay

    Hello, I am trying to simulate the gammas from certain radioactive decays but I am really puzzle as to how to approach this. The site I'm using as a reference lists the intensities of the different gammas corresponding to an specific decay. The thing that confuses me is that, for example...
  19. S

    Radiation debit gamma doses

    Hello all, I must to calculate radiation debit gamma doses (mSv/h ) in concordance with some important radioisotopes (i.e I-131, Xe, Br,Kr ) received at Whole body Some organs Knowing radioisotopes radioactivity in Curie Thank you for advices
  20. G

    Gamma radiation. Nuclear, electromagnetic or both?

    I know that gamma rays are a part of the electromagnetic spectrum and that they are also a type of nuclear radiation, created upon the decaying of a large, unstable nucleus. Is there any difference between these 2 definitions of gamma radiation? Is gamma radiation only created in the way...
  21. L

    Stirling's approximation for Gamma functions with a negative argument

    Hi, fellow physicists (to be). This is my first post on the forum, so I hope I get it right. If not so, please let me know :) introduction to the problem At the moment I am working on my physics bachelor's thesis at the theoretical department of my university (Amsterdam). My thesis focusses...
  22. J

    Can gamma rays be deflected or shielded against with an electromagnetic field?

    I know we can contain the energy/plasma from a fussion reaction with an electromagnetic field, but would an EMF protect from gamma rays? Would it be possible to deflect a nuclear blast with a powerful enough EMF?
  23. M

    The complement formula of the Gamma function

    Now, I already know the complement formula and I also know a proof that can be presented using the Euler product forms of the Gamma function. What I am curious about is, can one obtain the formula using the integral forms of the Gamma and Beta functions? I will show my work so far. I started...
  24. M

    MHB Integral of the Inverse Gamma Distribution

    Hi, I am trying to solve the integral of the Inverse Gamma Distribution. Does this equate to 1 as it is a pdf? Thanks
  25. D

    Expanding Gamma function around poles

    Can someone help me to expand the following gamma functions around the pole ε, at fisrt order in ε \Gamma[(1/2) \pm (ε/2)] where ε= d-4
  26. A

    Gamma Ray Decay to potential watts

    I'm interested in calculating how much power (in Watts) could be produced (assuming a 100% conversion efficiency between Gamma Rays and electrical power) from gamma decay of a 60 Co -> 60 Ni. How long would this reaction last? Just a few seconds or longer? Are there any decays that last for a...
  27. C

    Assumption that Anti-Matter Galaxies Would Emit Detectable Gamma Ray Bursts

    In the hunt for antimatter galaxies, the tools that we are currently using look for gamma rays that would be emitted due to annihilation events, because everything else about these galaxies is predicted to be the same emission-wise. The hypothesis is that these annihilation events would occur...
  28. T

    Medical Weird question about Radiation Gamma

    Hello to the community! My question is really silly, i really don't know much of physics and radiation thing, but as i was watching the Hulk movie, Bruce got affected by radiation gamma and he became that big humanoid thing who called Hulk, my question is, what can radiation gamma really do...
  29. S

    Why Do We See So Many Gamma Ray Bursts?

    So, if my understanding of GRBs is correct, they are a collimated jet of material that produces a lot of gamma rays. So my question is, don't these have to be pointing right at us for us to see them? If so, then why do we see so many? I think it's at around at least one per day, the last time...
  30. Q

    Radioisotopes: Alpha, Beta, Gamma Emissions?

    I need to question that what does radio isotopes emits?Alpha,Beta,Gamma or all particles?
  31. L

    Can GM gamma meter be sensitive for neutron radiation?

    Hi, I'm a new member in the forum. I own two similar GM military grade meters with calibration certificates, calibrated for gamma-rays metering and each one has two tubes filled with helium, argon (or neon), halogen (or quenching) gases. When I am exposed to some radiation source, my GM meter...
  32. G

    Exploring Alpha, Beta, Gamma Decay & Conservation of Mass/Energy

    I am completing an assignment that is covering alpha, beta, and gamma decay. I am going to try and keep this as general as possible, as I want to figure this out myself but I just looking for feedback to make sure I am on the right track. I noticed that after alpha decay, the mass of the...
  33. lpetrich

    Evidence of Dark Matter? 130-GeV gamma rays from near our galaxy's core

    The Reference Frame: A confirmation of the 130 GeV dark matter-like bump - Lubos Motl [1204.2797] A Tentative Gamma-Ray Line from Dark Matter Annihilation at the Fermi Large Area Telescope - Christoph Weniger [1205.1045] Fermi 130 GeV gamma-ray excess and dark matter annihilation in...
  34. A

    Obtaining gamma (γ) in an adiabatic, reversible expansion

    PROBLEM: One mole of an ideal monatomic gas initially at 300 K (T1) and a pressure of 15.0 atm (P1) expands to a final pressure of 1.00 atm (P2). The expansion occurs via an adiabatic and reversible path. Calculate q, w, ΔU, and ΔH. SOLUTION: q = 0 (adiabatic; no heat exchange occurs)...
  35. A

    Why The Gamma Ray Burst doesn't explode into all the directions?

    instead of the bipolar explosion
  36. A

    Gamma Ray Bursters vs Quasars?

    Okay, so this may be a little bit of a trivial question, but I've read conflicting information and found myself confused as a result. I've read from several sources (wikipedia, books) that GRB's are the most luminous events known to occur in our universe. However, I've also read that...
  37. M

    Gamma distribution proving

    prove that μ=αθ and σ^2=αθ^2 μ = E(X) ...= ∫(x = 0 to ∞) x *(1/(θ^α Γ(α))) x^(α-1) e^(-x/θ) dx ...= (1/(θ^α Γ(α))) ∫(x = 0 to ∞) x^α e^(-x/θ) dx ...= (1/(θ^α Γ(α))) ∫(t = 0 to ∞) (tθ)^α e^(-t) * (θ dt), letting t = x/θ ...= (θ/Γ(α)) ∫(t = 0 to ∞) t^α e^(-t) dt ...= (θ/Γ(α)) Γ(α+1)...
  38. M

    Gamma and exponential distribution

    Homework Statement prove that, for gamma distribution μ=αθ σ^2=αθ^2 for exponential distribution μ=θ σ^2=θ^2
  39. A

    Lorentz gamma factor in a decay of arbitrary leptons

    Homework Statement Show that the Lorentz gamma factor in the decay K^+ \rightarrow l^+ \nu_l can be written as \gamma = \frac{m_K^2 + m_l^2}{2m_K m_l} where nu is either e or mu. The Attempt at a Solution I'm stuck on a part of the proof. I think I understand most of it...
  40. D

    Feynman Diagram: Simga+ -> p + gamma?

    Feynman Diagram: Simga+ --> p + gamma? Hi, Can anyone give me some indications as to how to draw the feynman diagram for the following decay? Ʃ+ → p + \gamma Should I consider the quark composition of the sigma first? Thanks a lot.
  41. Demon117

    Relationship between angle gamma and alpha and beta

    So I feel like a complete moron for asking this. I have never been very strong in geometry so I wondered if a few math folks could help me out. I am just looking for the angle relationships of gamma, alpha, and beta. This is just a small piece of a much larger analysis that I am doing. I...
  42. S

    Exploring Gamma Ray Bursts: Causes, Effects & Interest

    I've been reading about gamma ray bursts (GRBs) lately and have found them to be pretty interesting. As far as I have read, it appears that we still don't know much about what actually causes them, or rather, how the "internal engine" works. The most popular idea for longer lasting GRBs is a...
  43. M

    Radioactive Activity of a Gamma source

    Homework Statement The issue I have is that I am asked to estimate the activity of a small source of gamma radiation; the question is written below: 'A small source of gamma radiation is placed at a distance of 160mm from a detector of area 18mm^2. The count recorded on the detector after 30...
  44. R

    Gamma radiation decay question.

    Homework Statement The radioactive substance emits gamma radiation. Complete the equation below for the disintegration of the nuclei of this substance. Homework Equations ^{24}_{11}Na^{*} \rightarrow ^{?}_{?}Na + ? The Attempt at a Solution ^{24}_{11}Na^{*} \rightarrow...
  45. A

    Calc-Based Stats, Prove a Conditional Distribution is Gamma Distributed

    Homework Statement An image of the assigned problem is here: http://imgur.com/aYkaM Homework Equations The formula for being exponential, gamma, and probably Bayes's Law. They'd take a while to type out, and presumably anyone who can help me with this already knows the formulas or...
  46. E

    Dirac equation and gamma factor

    I am reading about Dirac's equation for relativistic electron in Feynman's book "Quantum Electrodynamics". Factor \gamma =(1-v^2)^{-1/2} (units c=1) is almost always presented in non quantum calculations of Special relativity. But in his book I also find it on page 44 in lecture "Relativistic...
  47. K

    Relativistic momentum and gamma factor - differential equation

    Homework Statement I am supposed to show that the force on a relativistic particle when a) it's perpendicular to particle's velocity is F=γm_0\frac{dv}{dt} b) it's parallel to particle's velocity is F_x=m_0γ^3\frac{dv_x}{dt} I may make use of the fact that...
  48. M

    Evaluate Gamma Integral: j,k Positive Constants

    greetings . any ideas on how to evaluate this integral \lim_{T\rightarrow \infty}\frac{1}{2T}\int_{-T}^{T}\frac{\Gamma(3+it)}{\Gamma(3+it-j)}e^{ikt}dt j, k are positive constants .
  49. N

    What would happen if the sun was hit by a gamma ray burst?

    Now I am wondering what would happen to the sun if it was hit by the nearest gamma ray burst (I believe the nearest one is 6.7 Light years away). Now I understand that a gamma ray burst is going to be more radiation than what the sun produces in its lifetime. I also know that the sun is just one...
  50. P

    Covariant Bilinears: Fierz Expansion of Dirac gamma matrices products

    Homework Statement So my question is related somehow to the Fierz Identities. I'm taking a course on QFT. My teacher explained in class that instead of using the traces method one could use another, more intuitive, method. He said that we could use the fact that if we garante that we have the...
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