Why can $γ$-rays and X-rays have the same wavelength and frequency? X-rays have wavelengths between $10^{-8}\,\text{m}$ to $10^{-13}\,\text{m}$ while $γ$-rays have wavelengths from $10^{-10}\,\text{m}$ to $10^{-16}\,\text{m}$. Is there a particular reason or is this a legacy we're stuck with now?
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X-rays and gamma rays really only differ in their origin, both of them are ultimately electromagnetic radiation or photons.
X-rays refer to photons produced from either atomic transitions or bremsstrahlung (braking radiation). Atomic transitions typically only reach up to the 100 keV range or so (usually lower), while braking radiation can originate x-rays of arbitrary energy, at least in principle. In an x-ray tube that operates at 100 kVp, the peak of the spectrum will have x-rays of 100 keV. A linear accelerator operating at 6 MV will produce x-rays in the MeV range.
Gamma rays are produced through gamma decay, the relaxation process of an excited nucleus via the emission of a photon. That is, gamma rays have a nuclear origin, and typically they have energies in the MeV range. But you can have a gamma photon of the same or even lower energy than an x-ray photon.
agaminon
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There are (at least) two different conventions for distinguishing X-rays from gamma rays - see this Wikipedia article
There is no consensus for a definition distinguishing between X-rays and gamma rays. One common practice is to distinguish between the two types of radiation based on their source... [A] common alternative is to distinguish X- and gamma radiation on the basis of wavelength ...
gandalf61
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