What kind of radiation is high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive atoms?

High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive atoms is known as gamma radiation. Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays, but with much higher energy. They are released during the decay of certain nuclear isotopes and are a common form of radiation associated with radioactive materials.

Gamma radiation is capable of penetrating through materials more effectively than alpha or beta radiation, due to its high energy levels. This property makes gamma rays highly significant in various fields, including medical treatments, radiography, and nuclear physics. Unlike alpha radiation, which consists of particles, and beta radiation, which includes electrons or positrons, gamma radiation does not consist of particles but rather electromagnetic waves.