Which type of radiation is described as "pure energy waves"?

Gamma radiation is characterized as "pure energy waves" because it consists of high-frequency electromagnetic waves. Unlike alpha and beta radiation, which are particles (alpha particles are helium nuclei, and beta particles are electrons or positrons), gamma rays do not have mass or electric charge. This is why gamma radiation is often referred to as electromagnetic radiation similar to visible light but with much higher energy and frequency.

Gamma rays are produced during radioactive decay and certain nuclear reactions, and they can penetrate materials more effectively than alpha or beta particles. Their ability to travel through space and matter without a defined physical mass allows them to be categorized distinctly as energy forms. Understanding the nature of gamma radiation is crucial for addressing safety measures and radiation shielding in environments where radioactive materials are present.