Differences between X-rays and Gamma rays

Click For Summary
X-rays and gamma rays are both forms of electromagnetic radiation, but their classification often depends on their origin; X-rays typically come from electron interactions, while gamma rays originate from nuclear processes. However, the Bremsstrahlung process, which involves decelerating electrons, can produce both types of radiation, leading to confusion about their definitions. Some sources classify gamma rays as any high-frequency radiation, regardless of their origin, while others adhere to the traditional definitions based on the source. Ultimately, both X-rays and gamma rays are just labels for photons across different frequency ranges. The distinction is less about the source and more about the electromagnetic spectrum they occupy.
Rev. Cheeseman
Messages
360
Reaction score
21
Some people said if it is originated from electrons then it is X-ray but if it is originated from the nucleus it is Gamma ray. But people can produced X-rays and Gamma rays by Bremsstrahlung process and in Bremsstrahlung process it is resulted from decelerating or braking electrons. So, Gamma rays produced via Bremsstrahlung are more similar to X-rays as it is produced by electrons. Why people still calling them Gamma rays although it is not generated from the nucleus?
 
Science news on Phys.org
The last time this got asked I discovered that some sources regard gamma rays as "anything produced from the nucleus" and x rays as "anything produced from the electrons beyond UV", while some sources do as @vanhees71 says and label anything above a certain frequency as gamma rays. I think the latter is more common, especially as we now understand clearly that it's all just EM and the source doesn't really make a difference. I'd presume whatever source you are reading about Bremsstrahlung is using that definition too.

Either way, it's just a label. It's all photons.
 
  • Like
Likes Rev. Cheeseman, sophiecentaur and vanhees71
Indeed, em. decays of nuclei are usually in the ##\gamma##-ray range. That's actually, where the name comes from, because it was one of the three known kinds of nuclear decay, dubbed ##\alpha##-, ##\beta##-, and ##\gamma##-radiation.

An important exception is Thorium-229:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_clock#The_history_of_the_nuclear_clock

See particularly Reference 6+7 therein.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes Rev. Cheeseman, hutchphd and Ibix

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
10K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
922
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K