X-rays - Practice Questions & MCQ

X-rays-

X-rays are highly energetic radiations with very short wavelengths. Their wavelength is even shorter than the ultraviolet radiations and varies between 0.03 and 3 nanometers and some x-rays are as small as a single atom of many elements. But now the question arises that how X-rays were discovered, Actually X-rays were discovered by Roentgen, who found that a discharge tube(Coolidge's tube), operating at low pressure and high voltage, emitted radiation that caused a fluorescent in the neighborhood to glow brightly. This indicates that some unknown radiation was responsible for fluorescence. Since the name of these rays was unknown so it is named X-rays.

Properties of X-rays -

• They pass through materials more or less unchanged

• They cannot be refracted

• Electric and magnetic fields do not have any effect on these rays

• These radiations ionize the surrounding air by discharging electrified bodies

• They have a short wavelength varying between $0.1 \mathrm{~A}^{\circ}$ to $1 \mathrm{~A}^{\circ}$.

• They are produced when a metal anode is bombarded by very high-energy electrons.

• They do not require any medium for propagation

• X-rays cannot be focused on a single point

• These radiations cannot be heard or smelt

• They travel in a straight line in free space

• They cause photoelectric emissions.

• The intensity of X – rays depends on the number of electrons hitting the target.

Application of X-rays -

• Medical Science - They are used for medical purposes to detect the breakage in human bones.
• Security - They are used as a scanner to scan the luggage of passengers in airports, rail terminals, and other places.
• Astronomy - It is emitted by celestial objects and is studied to understand the environment.
• Industry - It is widely used to detect defects in welds.
• Restoration - They are used to restore old paintings.