History and Discovery of X-rays
- X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895.
- X-ray wavelengths range from 10 nanometers to 10 picometers.
- X-rays have frequencies in the range of 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz.
- X-rays have energies in the range of 100 electron volts to 100 kiloelectron volts.
- X-rays were initially noticed by scientists investigating cathode rays in 1869.
- Crookes tubes, invented around 1875, emitted X-rays.
- William Morgan produced X-rays in 1785 through electrical currents in a glass tube.
- Ivan Puluj published a paper in 1889 on the darkening of photographic plates by X-ray emanations.
- Philipp Lenard conducted experiments with Crookes tubes to study cathode rays and Lenard rays, which were possibly X-rays.
Advances in Radiology and Medical Applications
- X-rays were quickly recognized for their medical use.
- Röntgen made the first X-ray image of a human body part, his wife's hand.
- X-rays revolutionized the field of radiology and became a standard diagnostic tool.
- X-rays were used for various applications, including identifying broken bones and detecting weak points in construction materials.
- X-rays were quickly adopted by physicians and scientists around Europe and North America.
- X-rays were used for surgical operations as early as February 1896.
- X-rays were used in radiation therapy pioneered by Major John Hall-Edwards.
- X-rays used with motion picture cameras to capture the human skeleton in motion.
- X-rays used to study tongue and teeth movements for language studies.
Impact and Reactions of X-rays
- X-rays had a sensationalist impact, with publications linking them to occult and paranormal theories.
- X-rays became an essential tool in medical diagnostics.
- X-rays led to advancements in the field of material science.
- X-rays sparked further research and discoveries in the field of radiation.
- X-rays continue to be widely used in various industries and scientific disciplines.
Hazards and Injuries Associated with X-rays
- Reports of burns, hair loss, and cancer were documented after X-ray exposure.
- X-rays were linked to infertility in males due to radiation exposure.
- Severe burns were reported by experimenters.
- X-ray-related injuries and deaths were documented, including cases of cancer and amputations.
- X-ray pioneers and workers experienced health complications and fatalities.
Technology and Applications of X-rays
- Different generations of X-ray tubes were developed.
- X-ray scattering, diffraction, and characteristic X-ray spectra were discovered.
- Advanced X-ray techniques, such as phase-contrast imaging, were developed.
- X-rays found applications in astrophysics, defense, and shoe fitting.
- Properties of X-rays, their interaction with matter, and their production methods were explored.
X-ray (or much less commonly, X-radiation) is a high-energy electromagnetic radiation. In many languages, it is referred to as Röntgen radiation, after the German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who discovered it in 1895 and named it X-radiation to signify an unknown type of radiation.
X-ray wavelengths are shorter than those of UV rays and longer than those of gamma rays. There is no universally accepted, strict definition of the bounds of the X-ray band. Roughly, X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 10 nanometers to 10 picometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz (3×1016 Hz to 3×1019 Hz) and energies in the range 100 eV to 100 keV, respectively.
X-rays are widely used in medical diagnostics (e.g., checking for broken bones) and material science (e.g., identification of some chemical elements and detecting weak points in construction materials).
