What's the difference between gamma rays and x rays?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the differences between gamma rays and x-rays, exploring their origins, energy levels, and the criteria used to distinguish between them. The scope includes conceptual clarifications and technical explanations related to physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that gamma rays are created by energy transitions in atomic nuclei, while x-rays are produced by high-energy electron transitions.
  • It is noted that gamma rays and x-rays can have overlapping frequencies, but most gamma rays are considered to be more energetic than most x-rays.
  • One participant argues that fundamentally, gamma rays and x-rays are the same, differing only in energy levels, and that the distinction is somewhat arbitrary depending on the field of study.
  • There is a correction regarding terminology, with a participant suggesting that "transmissions" should be "transitions," which is acknowledged by the original poster.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and distinctions between gamma rays and x-rays, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes potential ambiguities in definitions and the criteria for distinguishing between gamma rays and x-rays, as well as the implications of energy levels in different contexts.

En_lizard
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what's the difference between gamma rays and x rays?
 
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En_lizard said:
what's the difference between gamma rays and x rays?

Gamma rays are created by energy transmissions which occur in atomic nuclei. X-rays occur in high energy electron transmissions...

They can have the same frequency, it's the source that makes the distinction. If you randomly found a gamma ray photon in space you wouldn't know whether it was an x-ray photon or a gamma ray photon...
 


DeShark said:
Gamma rays are created by energy transmissions [...]

I think you mean transitions not transmissions.
 


Perhaps the range of frequencies of the two do overlap, but most gamma rays are more energetic than most x-rays.
 


Fundementally they are the same (just different energies) it's an arbitrary line depending on which field you work in. Like the cuttoff between visible and infrared.
 


jtbell said:
I think you mean transitions not transmissions.

Ooops. Yes, of course.
 

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