X-RAYS

X-Rays are produced whenever electrons of high energy strike a heavy metal target. When the electrons hit this heavy metal, some electrons will approach the nucleus of the metal atoms where they are deflected because of the opposite charges. This deflection causes the energy of the electron to decrease. This decrease in energy then results in forming an X-Ray.

APPLICATIONS OF X-RAYS

• Medical use: doctors use x-ray machines to scan bones in the body
• Engineering: assembly lines use x-ray machines to scan and inspect cars for defects
• Airports: airports use luggage scanners that produce x rays

Here's a picture of someone getting an x-ray :)

POSSIBLE DANGERS

• X-rays can cause a mutation of cells, forming cancer

WAVELENGTH & FREQUENCY

• The wavelength is .01 to 10 nanometers (1e-9 to 1e-8 meters)
• The frequency is 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz (3x10^16 to 3x10^19 hertz)
• Size is about 4 inches.

What does the "X" in X-Ray mean?

No one knows what it means. People believe it's used, just like in mathmatics, as a variable.

Citations:

• www.darvill.clara.net
• www.pysics.isu.edu
• www.ecpi.edu