Gamma Rays: Faster than Light?

In summary, gamma rays are light that have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength, making them more energetic than visible light waves. Despite their greater energy, they still travel at the same speed as all other electromagnetic waves, which is c. There are theories, such as DSR, that suggest gamma rays may have slightly different speeds, but these are still controversial and not widely accepted.
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Quantum1332
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Since gamma rays are much more energetic, then shouldn't they travel faster. Gamma rays are light, but since they are faster shouldn't they travel faster than c?
 
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  • #2
The energy if a wave is given by the frequency of the wave, not by it's speed. Gamma waves are more energetic than visable light waves, so they have a higher frequency, and thus a shorter wavelength.

~Lyuokdea
 
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As far as we know, gamma rays also travel at exactly c. There are theories (google "loop quantum gravity") that predict gamma rays to be slightly faster.
 
  • #4
There is also DSR or Doubly Special Relativity:

http://www.physicspost.com/articles.php?articleId=129

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubly-special_relativity

This works by the fact DSR allows the energy of the photons themselves to in fact alter the speed of the photon. Blue light, for example, would travel at a slightly faster speed than red light. This difference is of course minute. Maguijo reasons that in the early universe, where photons had much higher energies than today, their velocities may in fact be significantly higher. Though this is in direct contradiction of Einstein, it does solve a lot of problems in cosmology.

However DSR remains controversial and speculative.
 
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FAQ: Gamma Rays: Faster than Light?

What are gamma rays?

Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that have the shortest wavelength and highest frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are produced by the decay of radioactive materials or by high-energy processes such as supernovas.

How fast do gamma rays travel?

Gamma rays travel at the speed of light, which is approximately 186,282 miles per second. This makes them the fastest form of electromagnetic radiation.

Are gamma rays faster than light?

No, gamma rays are not faster than light. They both travel at the speed of light, but gamma rays have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than visible light.

Can gamma rays travel through objects?

Yes, gamma rays can travel through many materials, including air, paper, and even some metals. However, dense materials such as lead and concrete can block gamma rays.

What are the uses of gamma rays?

Gamma rays have a wide range of applications, including medical imaging and cancer treatment, sterilization of food and medical equipment, and industrial processes such as measuring the thickness of materials and detecting flaws in structures.

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