Difference Between Gamma Decay & Photons

[Kahsi]

Hi!

I hope this is the correct section to post this question in.

What's the difference between \gamma-decay and photons?

Thank you in advance.

 

[dextercioby]

"Gamma decay",or gamma radiation is typically high energy (gamma(sic)) photons...

Daniel.

 

[SpaceTiger]

\gamma-rays are high-energy photons. \gamma-decay is a type of radioactive decay in which \gamma-rays are emitted.

 

[Kahsi]

So basically nothing, except that the \gamma photons have more energy?

 

[dextercioby]

Yeah,they're on the high-energy part of the spectrum.

Daniel.

 

[Kahsi]

So, thank you both for the help.

 

[SpaceTiger]

So basically nothing, except that the \gamma photons have more energy?

If I'm understanding you correctly, then the difference is that one is a type of decay and the other is a type of electromagnetic radiation. The \gamma rays emitted in \gamma decay are examples of photons, but they're a special type of photon (high-energy, as dexter pointed out).

 

[Meir Achuz]

The term "gamma" for a photon dates back to the early days of experimental radioactivity. Three types of ray, behaving differentlly in a magnetic field, were observed. They were called alpha, beta, and gamma. The gamma rays, which were undeflected, were later found out to be photons. Lower energy photons had already been observed, since the sixth day of creation, as light.