Which type of ionizing radiation is classified as a wave?

Gamma radiation is classified as a wave because it consists of high-energy photons, which are electromagnetic waves. These photons carry energy and can travel through space at the speed of light. Unlike alpha and beta particles, which are composed of matter (alpha particles being helium nuclei and beta particles being electrons or positrons), gamma rays do not have mass and are not charged. This lack of mass and charge allows gamma rays to penetrate materials more easily than other forms of ionizing radiation.

The wave nature of gamma radiation is important in various applications, including medical imaging and cancer treatment, where the ability to penetrate tissues is utilized to target and kill cancer cells without affecting surrounding healthy tissue to the same extent. Understanding gamma radiation as a wave contributes to a broader comprehension of electromagnetic radiation and its interactions with matter.