Final answer:
Gamma (γ) and tau (τ) particles both participate in electromagnetic, weak, and gravitational forces, but they differ in terms of mass, with gamma rays being massless and the tau lepton being very massive.
Step-by-step explanation:
In physics, particularly particle physics, both gamma (a photon) and tau (a lepton) participate in electromagnetic, weak, and gravitational forces. However, they differ significantly in terms of mass and interaction with matter. While gamma rays are massless, the tau lepton is about 3500 times heavier than the electron.
Leptons, including the tau (τ) lepton, do not participate in the strong force. On the other hand, gamma rays are photons associated with the electromagnetic force and do not have rest mass. This fundamental distinction between the two is crucial in understanding the behavior of subatomic particles and their roles in the universe.