What is the best source of gamma rays?

SOURCES OF GAMMA RAYS They are produced by the hottest and most energetic objects in the universe, such as neutron stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions around black holes. On Earth, gamma waves are generated by nuclear explosions, lightning, and the less dramatic activity of radioactive decay.

Does thorium emit gamma rays?

Thorium is an element that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. The only naturally occurring isotope of thorium is 232Th and it is unstable and radioactive. In addition to the alpha or beta particles emitted as a result of the decay of a parent isotope, most of the daughter isotopes also emit gamma rays. …

What is a natural source of gamma rays?

Natural sources of gamma rays on Earth include gamma decay from naturally occurring radioisotopes such as potassium-40, and also as a secondary radiation from various atmospheric interactions with cosmic ray particles.

Does thorium 232 emit gamma rays?

Thorium-232 (232Th) is present in significant amounts in the Earth’s crust and is an alpha-emitting radionuclide, which decays to radium-228 (228Ra), which is a beta emitter with a half-life of about six years; it emits no significant gamma radiation.

Is thorium a radioactive element?

Thorium (chemical symbol Th) is a naturally occurring radioactive metal found at trace levels in soil, rocks, water, plants and animals. There are natural and man-made forms of thorium, all of which are radioactive. In general, naturally occurring thorium exists as Th-232, Th-230 or Th-228.

Are gamma rays particles?

Gamma radiation, unlike alpha or beta, does not consist of any particles, instead consisting of a photon of energy being emitted from an unstable nucleus. Having no mass or charge, gamma radiation can travel much farther through air than alpha or beta, losing (on average) half its energy for every 500 feet.