X rays

Definition

X rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to photon energies in the range of approximately 100 eV to 100 keV. They are produced when high-energy electrons decelerate or when inner-shell electrons transition between energy levels in atoms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. X rays have higher energy and shorter wavelengths than visible light, placing them between ultraviolet light and gamma rays on the electromagnetic spectrum.
2. The production of X rays typically involves the deceleration of high-energy electrons in a material, known as Bremsstrahlung radiation, or transitions of electrons in atomic inner shells.
3. X rays can be categorized into two types: soft X rays (lower energy) and hard X rays (higher energy), with hard X rays having more penetrating power.
4. In medical imaging, X rays are used for radiography, CT scans, and fluoroscopy due to their ability to penetrate tissues and produce detailed images of internal structures.
5. The discovery of X rays is attributed to Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895, which revolutionized medical diagnostics and earned him the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

Review Questions

• What are the typical wavelength and energy ranges for X rays?
• How are X rays produced through Bremsstrahlung radiation?
• What distinguishes soft X rays from hard X rays?

Related terms

Photon: A quantum of electromagnetic radiation that carries energy proportional to its frequency; fundamental particle associated with light.

Electromagnetic Spectrum: The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation arranged by wavelength or frequency, from radio waves to gamma rays.

Bremsstrahlung Radiation: Radiation produced when charged particles such as electrons are decelerated upon interaction with another particle, resulting in the emission of photons.