X-RAYS: Properties, Uses, Scientists and Discovery

X-RAYS
• X-rays are one of the waves that form the electromagnetic spectrum
and unlike for the case of visible light, they have higher amounts of
energy and thus able to pass through various objects among them
the human body (Curry 2010, p. 617).
• Photographic films are one of the types of x-ray detectors even
though there exist many other detector types that are useful in the
production of digital images.
• X-rays resulting from x-ray detection processes are called
radiographs.
• X-rays are produced when a beam of electrons moving at very high
speeds strike a metal target.

• These electrons are generated from the heated filament and
directed towards the metal target by high voltages from the tube
(Singh 2015, p. 215).
• Another way in which x-rays can be produced is during the collision
between electrons and atoms and the nuclei of the metal target.

Properties of x-rays
• X-rays are electromagnetic waves and thereby a part of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
• Just like other waves in the spectrum, x-rays are transverse waves
i.e. their oscillations are perpendicular to the energy transfer
direction. Other properties include;
• X-rays;
 have a very short wavelength, almost the same size as that of
the diameter of an atom:
• Wavelength refers to the distance between two successive
troughs or crests and is usually measured in the wave
direction.
• The crest refers to the highest point of the wave while the
trough refers to the lowest point of the same wave (Dance
2010, p. 589).
• Being a measure of distance/length, wavelength is measured
in units including meters, nanometers, and millimeters
among other units. The wavelength range of x-rays is from
0.01 to 10nm

 are absorbed by bone or metal
 are able to pass through, absorbed or transmitted
 cause ionization when they pass through molecules:
Ionization defines the process by which electrical neutral
molecules or atoms gain or lose electrical charge. It is one of
the main ways through which energy is transferred by
radiation in particles such as x-rays.
 have a speed of 1,860,000 miles/second which is the same
speed as that of visible light (Podgorsak 2013, p. 369)
 cannot be reflected, refracted or deflected by an electric field
or a magnet
 produce electric fields at right angles to their propagation
paths
 do not require a medium for propagation