Compared to visible light, gamma radiation has what characteristic?

Gamma radiation is characterized by having a higher penetrating power than visible light. This is primarily due to its nature as a form of electromagnetic radiation with substantially shorter wavelengths than those of visible light. While visible light falls within the range of approximately 400 to 700 nanometers, gamma rays typically have wavelengths that are much shorter, often in the picometer range or even smaller. The energy of radiation is inversely related to its wavelength; thus, with shorter wavelengths, gamma radiation possesses much higher energy compared to visible light.

This high energy allows gamma radiation to penetrate various materials, including biological tissues and dense substances, more effectively than visible light, which can be absorbed or scattered by opaque materials, commonly reflecting or refracting instead. Therefore, when it comes to the capability of penetrating through different mediums, gamma radiation stands out as being significantly more penetrating than visible light.