<P> Gamma rays typically have energies above 100 k eV , and therefore have frequencies above 10 exahertz ( or > 10 Hz ) and wavelengths less than 10 picometers ( 10 m ) , which is less than the diameter of an atom . However , this is not a strict definition , but rather only a rule - of - thumb description for natural processes . Electromagnetic radiation from radioactive decay of atomic nuclei is referred to as `` gamma rays '' no matter its energy , so that there is no lower limit to gamma energy derived from radioactive decay . This radiation commonly has energy of a few hundred keV , and almost always less than 10 MeV . In astronomy , gamma rays are defined by their energy , and no production process needs to be specified . The energies of gamma rays from astronomical sources range to over 10 TeV , an energy far too large to result from radioactive decay . A notable example is the extremely powerful bursts of high - energy radiation referred to as long duration gamma - ray bursts , of energies higher than can be produced by radioactive decay . These bursts of gamma rays are thought to be due to the collapse of stars called hypernovae . </P>
<P> Gamma rays typically have energies above 100 k eV , and therefore have frequencies above 10 exahertz ( or > 10 Hz ) and wavelengths less than 10 picometers ( 10 m ) , which is less than the diameter of an atom . However , this is not a strict definition , but rather only a rule - of - thumb description for natural processes . Electromagnetic radiation from radioactive decay of atomic nuclei is referred to as `` gamma rays '' no matter its energy , so that there is no lower limit to gamma energy derived from radioactive decay . This radiation commonly has energy of a few hundred keV , and almost always less than 10 MeV . In astronomy , gamma rays are defined by their energy , and no production process needs to be specified . The energies of gamma rays from astronomical sources range to over 10 TeV , an energy far too large to result from radioactive decay . A notable example is the extremely powerful bursts of high - energy radiation referred to as long duration gamma - ray bursts , of energies higher than can be produced by radioactive decay . These bursts of gamma rays are thought to be due to the collapse of stars called hypernovae . </P>
what is the wavelength of a gamma ray
what is the wavelength of a gamma ray
less than 10 picometers ( 10 m )
less than 10 picometers ( 10 m )