Which has a shorter wavelength - X-rays or Gamma rays?

Gamma rays have a shorter wavelength compared to X-rays. Both gamma rays and X-rays are forms of electromagnetic radiation, but they differ in their origin and energy levels. Gamma rays are produced by nuclear reactions and decay processes, while X-rays are typically produced by electronic transitions in atoms and by accelerating charged particles.

The electromagnetic spectrum organizes these types of radiation based on their wavelengths, with gamma rays sitting on the high-energy, short-wavelength end of the spectrum, followed closely by X-rays. Since gamma rays have higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths, this leads to their ability to penetrate materials more effectively than X-rays. This characteristic is significant in applications such as medical imaging and radiation therapy, where the penetration ability of gamma rays is valuable for treatment and diagnostic purposes.

Ultraviolet rays and infrared rays fall outside the range of gamma and X-rays, with ultraviolet rays having longer wavelengths than X-rays and gamma rays, and infrared rays having even longer wavelengths. This understanding of the relationships between different types of electromagnetic radiation is essential in fields such as physics, medicine, and engineering.