Gamma rays cannot be deflected by a magnetic field.
Here's why:
Magnetic fields exert a force on moving charged particles. This force is described by the Lorentz force law:
F = q(v x B)
Where:
- F is the force on the charged particle
- q is the electric charge of the particle
- v is the velocity of the particle
- B is the magnetic field
From this equation, we can see that the force is proportional to the charge (q) of the particle. If a particle has no charge (q=0), then the force due to the magnetic field is zero, and the particle will not be deflected.
Gamma rays are high-energy photons (electromagnetic radiation). Photons have no electric charge and no mass. Since they are uncharged, magnetic fields do not exert any force on them, and their path remains unaffected. Other examples of uncharged particles include neutrinos, however, the question specifically refers to that which cannot be deflected, emphasizing a more direct and pronounced effect. Neutrinos can be influenced (albeit very weakly) by magnetic fields through interactions with charged particles and magnetic moments, making gamma rays the more accurate direct answer.
| Particle Type | Charge | Deflected by Magnetic Field? |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Particle | +2e | Yes |
| Beta Particle | -1e | Yes |
| Proton | +1e | Yes |
| Electron | -1e | Yes |
| Gamma Ray | 0 | No |
| Neutron | 0 | No (Directly, but interactions can occur) |
Therefore, because gamma rays possess no electrical charge, they are immune to the deflecting influence of a magnetic field.
