Gamma rays are best described as:

Gamma rays are best described as high energy photons emitted during radioactive decay. This distinction is important because gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, which means they are massless particles (photons) that carry energy. During radioactive decay, unstable atomic nuclei release energy in the form of gamma radiation as they transition to a lower energy state. This process often occurs alongside the emission of alpha or beta particles, but gamma rays typically carry away the excess energy without imparting mass.

Gamma rays have very short wavelengths and high frequencies, placing them at the high-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum. They are much more energetic than other forms of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light and X-rays, which makes them capable of penetrating various materials, including human tissue. This penetrating power is what distinguishes gamma rays from other radiation types and leads to their applications in medical imaging and treatment, as well as in scientific research.

In contrast to the other options, high energy electrons refer to particles with mass and electron charge, which do not characterize gamma rays. Radio waves are a much lower frequency form of electromagnetic radiation used primarily for communication and do not have the energy associated with gamma rays. X-rays, while similar in their electromagnetic nature and also used for imaging, are not as high