What are bundles of energy that have no charge or mass?

• A. Alpha particles
• B. Beta particles
• C. Neutrons
• D. Gamma rays

Answer: (D)

Bundles of energy with no charge or mass are photons, the quanta of electromagnetic radiation. Gamma rays are photons with very high energy emitted in nuclear transitions or other high-energy processes. Because photons have zero rest mass and no electric charge, they travel at the speed of light and transfer energy through interactions with matter rather than carrying mass or charge. This sets them apart from alpha particles, which are charged helium nuclei with mass; beta particles, which are charged electrons or positrons with mass; and neutrons, which are massive but electrically neutral.