Ultraviolet, X-ray and Gamma Ray

Ultraviolet (UV) rays, X-rays, and Gamma rays all belong to the electromagnetic spectrum, which consists of waves of different wavelengths and frequencies. They all travel at the same speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s) in a vacuum.
Ultraviolet rays have shorter wavelengths than visible light but longer than X-rays. They are produced by processes at high temperatures such as the Sun and some artificial sources including black lights and tanning beds. Overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage including burns and cancer.
X-ray wavelengths are shorter than UV rays and longer than gamma rays. X-rays are produced by high energy processes such as collisions between high-energy electrons and metal targets in X-ray tubes. They are used in medical imaging as they can penetrate soft body tissues, allowing the visualisation of bones and some internal structures.
Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and highest frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum. They originate from radioactive atoms and high energy nuclear processes. Gamma rays are used in radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer due to their ability to kill cells.
Energy carried by the waves increases moving from UV rays to X-rays to gamma rays, this is due to their increasing frequency. This makes gamma rays potentially the most dangerous to living organisms.
All three types of waves have ionising effects, meaning they can remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus transforming them into ions, which can damage living cells and cause cancer.
The protection methods used for these waves vary. Sunscreen and clothing can protect against UV rays; lead shields or high density concrete are often used to block X-rays; highly specialised materials and significant amounts of shielding are required to protect against gamma rays.
It’s worth noting the waves’ uses in astronomy. Gamma rays, X-rays and ultraviolet rays can all give astronomers vital information when studying celestial bodies and phenomena, including black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae.
These three types of waves exhibit the same properties as other waves, including reflexion, refraction, diffraction and interference.