gamma radiation
7
5.5
- noun
- /ˈɡæmə reɪdiˈeɪʃən/
- Specialized
:
radiación gamma
- Without proper shielding, workers in the nuclear industry can be exposed to gamma radiation, which poses serious health risks.
- gamma radiation emitted
- intense gamma radiation
- gamma radiation level
Examples
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The RAPD analyses indicated that the plantlets subjected to gamma radiation had great genetic diversity compared to the control.
Academic text (2015) -
Gamma radiation is emitted during the process of nuclear decay, making it a significant concern for safety in nuclear power plants.
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Concrete is a better shield for gamma radiation than wood.
Blog text (20) -
This observation implies that the gamma radiation has at least two distinct components.
Academic text (2012) -
2.4" of concrete will halve the gamma radiation.
Blog text (20) -
In fact, nearly all of the neutron and gamma radiation is absorbed within just a few meters of the explosion.
Academic text (2003) -
The source was lost for around five hours, resulting in a number of workers at the site being exposed to high levels of gamma radiation, in some cases up to 32 times the permitted legal dose limits.
Academic text (2014) -
Conclusion: Callus formation depends upon the explant used, nature, concentrations of hormones, and culture conditions. Chemical as well as gamma radiation are important sources of mutations.
Academic text (2015) -
Because matter and antimatter annihilate instantly on contact to produce intense gamma radiation, astronomers believe that there can be only minute traces of antimatter in the universe.
Academic text (1992) -
The scientists used gamma radiation to sterilize medical equipment, ensuring that all harmful bacteria were eliminated.
Synonyms
21
4.2
Very strong invisible rays that come from radioactive materials and can harm living tissue
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is compositionally transparent: 'radiation' denotes emitted energy and 'gamma' names the specific type, so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a kind of radiation (specifically gamma rays, i.e. very energetic). Although 'gamma' is a technical label, the modifier+noun pattern is straightforward and common across languages, so the general meaning is derivable without specialist knowledge.
Etymology
Gamma radiation gets its name from the Greek letter gamma because early scientists studying radioactive materials called three kinds of rays 'alpha', 'beta', and gamma. These gamma rays are invisible and very strong, and they can pass through many materials, so the name now refers to those powerful rays from radioactive sources.