Gamma rays-
Gamma rays are the most superior, and powerful part of the electromagnetic spectrum. They have a wavelength of about one-hundredth-billionth of a metre. Only a thick sheet of lead or a concrete wall can stop these waves. Gamma rays are produced through nuclear power, nuclear bombs, neutron stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions around black holes. They can be detected with photographic film or a machine called a Geiger counter.
Due to such a high energy, these rays will interact with matter. They can release electrons from surrounding atoms. This ability is yet again used to treat cancer cells in patients who are undergoing radiotherapy. Gamma rays also allow for PET scans to be completed. A patient is injected with a small amount of short-lived radioactive material. This emits gamma rays which are deteteced by a PET scanner or camera. The data is then coverted into a 3D image. Doctors can then study parts of a patient and view how they are functioning, providing useful information for treatments or diagnosis. Gamma radiation frequently accompanies the emission of alpha and beta radiation. |
In today's society we use:
Tracers
Doctors can put slightly radioactive substances into a patient's body, then scan the patient to detect the gamma rays and build up a picture of what's going on inside the patient.
This is very useful because they can see the body processes actually working, rather than just looking at still pictures.
For example, in cases where doctors need to know the exact source of intestinal bleeding, they may add radioactive atoms to a sample of red blood cells taken from the patient. They then reinject the blood and use a SPECT scan to follow the path of the blood in the patient. Any build up of radioactivity in the intestines shows doctors where the problem is.
Tracers
Doctors can put slightly radioactive substances into a patient's body, then scan the patient to detect the gamma rays and build up a picture of what's going on inside the patient.
This is very useful because they can see the body processes actually working, rather than just looking at still pictures.
For example, in cases where doctors need to know the exact source of intestinal bleeding, they may add radioactive atoms to a sample of red blood cells taken from the patient. They then reinject the blood and use a SPECT scan to follow the path of the blood in the patient. Any build up of radioactivity in the intestines shows doctors where the problem is.