X rays are Electromagnetic waves of short wavelength in the range of 0.5 Å to 10 Å.
X rays were discovered by a German Scientist Wilhelm Roentgen, in 1895. Roentgen was awarded Nobel Prize in 1901 for the discovery of X rays.
Wilhelm roentgen found that when a beam of fast moving electron strike a solid target, an invisible penetrating radiation is produced. Due to the unknown nature of radiation, Roentgen called these as X rays.
Properties of X rays radiation
X rays are Electromagnetic waves of short wavelength.
The travel in straight line with the speed of light. They are invisible to eyes.
They undergo reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and polarization.
They are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields. This indicates that X rays do not have charged particles.
They ionize the gas through which they pass.
The X rays can penetrate through the substance which are opaque to ordinary light. Ex: wood, flesh, thick paper, thin sheet of metals.
X rays cause the Photoelectric effect ( when X rays are falls on certain metals they liberate photo electrons ).
X rays affect the Photographic plates.
X rays are have destructive effect on living tissue. When the human body is exposed to X rays , it causes redness of the skin, sores and serious injuries to the tissue and glands. They destroy the White Corpuscles of the blood (WBC).
X rays are do not pass through the heavy metals such as lead and bones. If such object are placed in their path, they cast their shadow.
