Quality factor for gamma radiation is:

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Gamma radiation is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, and it is known for its ability to penetrate matter. In radiation protection and dosimetry, the quality factor (QF) is a numerical value that reflects the damaging potential of different types of ionizing radiation.

For gamma radiation, the quality factor is 1. This means that gamma radiation is considered to have a similar biological effect per unit dose when compared to the reference radiation type, which is x-rays, and is used as a baseline for radiation safety calculations.

In determining the biological impact from radiation exposures, it is crucial to apply the appropriate quality factors to account for differences in the types of radiation. Since gamma radiation has a low ionization density and a relatively uniform energy distribution, its QF remains at 1, indicating that it is less biologically damaging per dose than heavier charged particles like alpha particles, which have higher quality factors.

Understanding the quality factor for different radiation types is essential for calculating effective doses and establishing safety standards in radiation therapy and radiological protection.

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