Properties and Applications of X–rays
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation similar to radio waves, microwaves, visible light as well as gamma rays. X-ray photons are extremely energized and also have sufficient power to break up particles as well as can damages living cells.
When X-rays strike a material, some are absorbed as well as others pass through. Typically, the greater the power the even more X-rays will pass. It is this permeating power that allows us to take internal photos of the body or objects. X-rays cannot be steered by electrical and magnetic fields like alphas, betas, or various other charged particles.
Properties of X-rays
- They are not deflected by electric and also electromagnetic fields. This property identifies them from the cathode rays and additionally reveals that they do not contain charged particles.
- They are propagated directly with the velocity of light.
- They affect a photo plate as well as are a lot more reliable than light.
- They ionize the gases as well as also expel electrons from particular metals on which they fall.
- They trigger fluorescence in many materials e.g., barium, Platinum, cyanide, cadmium tungstate, zinc sulphide.
- They are extremely permeating and also can go through several substances which are opaque to visible light.
- X-rays being electron magnetic waves can be reflected, refracted, diffracted, and polarized under suitable conditions.
- When X-rays are scattered by a substance, these later give off some new rays, called its characteristic X-rays whose wavelength relies on the nature of the substance.
- They have a harmful result on living tissues.
- X-rays when scattered by the atoms or specific substances undergo a decrease in frequency. This effect is called the Compton effect.
Applications of X–rays
X-ray astronomy
X-ray telescopes utilize low-angle reflections to concentrate these high-energy photons (light) that would certainly or else pass through normal telescope mirrors. Due to the fact that our Earth’satmosphere blocks most X-rays, monitoring is usually carried out using high-altitude balloons or orbiting telescopes.
X-ray therapy
Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Because the treatment can also harm regular cells, it is suggested that treatment be carefully prepared to reduce negative effects.
CAT Scanner
CAT represents Computerized Axial Tomography. In CAT scanning, the X-ray resource creates the thin fan-formed beam that is detected on the other side of the patient by an array of several hundred detectors in a line. Each detector determines the absorption of X-rays along a slimline with the patient. The entire system is rotated around the patient in a plane of the beam for a few seconds.
This is recorded digitally as well as information is reconstructed to create an image of various densities over a whole cross-area of an object. Density difference of the order of one percent can be detected with CAT-Scans. Growths as well as various other a lot smaller-sized anomalies can be detected with this.
X-ray Detection
The most familiar use of X-rays is checking for cracks (broken bones), yet X-rays are likewise made use of in various other means. For example, upper body X-rays can detect pneumonia. Mammograms utilize X-rays to check breast cancer cells.
Airport safety
Virtually every airport in the world is currently fitted with some type of X-ray protection system that checks luggage to look for dangerous products. In the past couple of years, complete body X-ray scans have also become an extra protection step.
MCQs
- What form of electromagnetic radiation are X-rays similar to?
- A) Infrared waves
- B) Ultraviolet waves
- C) Gamma rays
- D) Radio waves
- Answer: C) Gamma rays
- Which property distinguishes X-rays from cathode rays?
- A) They are not deflected by electric fields
- B) They propagate directly with the velocity of light
- C) They ionize gases
- D) They cause fluorescence in certain materials
- Answer: A) They are not deflected by electric fields
- What is the primary characteristic of X-rays regarding their ability to penetrate substances?
- A) They are easily absorbed by most materials
- B) They can only pass through transparent materials
- C) They have low energy levels
- D) They are highly penetrating and can pass through many substances
- Answer: D) They are highly penetrating and can pass through many substances
- Which application of X-rays involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells?
- A) X-ray astronomy
- B) CAT Scanner
- C) X-ray therapy
- D) Airport safety
- Answer: C) X-ray therapy
- What does CAT stand for in CAT Scanner?
- A) Computerized Axial Tomography
- B) Continuous Axial Tomography
- C) Cervical Axial Tomography
- D) Computerized Anatomical Tomography
- Answer: A) Computerized Axial Tomography
- How are X-rays detected in a CAT scanner?
- A) By absorbing radiation directly on the skin
- B) By using a specialized camera
- C) By an array of detectors measuring X-ray absorption
- D) By recording the sound waves generated by X-rays
- Answer: C) By an array of detectors measuring X-ray absorption
- What is one of the uses of X-rays in airport safety?
- A) Identifying chemical compositions of substances
- B) Generating visible light for security cameras
- C) Detecting radioactive materials
- D) Scanning luggage for dangerous items
- Answer: D) Scanning luggage for dangerous items
- How do X-ray telescopes capture high-energy photons in X-ray astronomy?
- A) By reflecting X-rays off mirrors
- B) By using lenses to focus X-rays
- C) By detecting X-rays emitted from distant stars
- D) By utilizing low-angle reflections to concentrate X-rays
- Answer: D) By utilizing low-angle reflections to concentrate X-rays
- Which effect describes the reduction in frequency of X-rays when scattered by atoms?
- A) Doppler effect
- B) Compton effect
- C) Photoelectric effect
- D) Pair production effect
- Answer: B) Compton effect
- What material is commonly used to detect cracks and fractures using X-rays?
- A) Ceramic
- B) Wood
- C) Metal
- D) Bone
- Answer: D) Bone
- What happens when X-rays strike a material?
- A) They are absorbed completely
- B) Some are absorbed and others pass through
- C) They are reflected back
- D) They lose their energy
- Answer: B) Some are absorbed and others pass through
- Which of the following materials is NOT commonly used for X-ray detection?
- A) Barium
- B) Platinum
- C) Gold
- D) Zinc sulfide
- Answer: C) Gold
- What is the primary reason for using X-rays in airport safety measures?
- A) To provide passengers with a visual scan
- B) To detect the presence of radiation
- C) To identify the chemical composition of substances
- D) To scan luggage for dangerous items
- Answer: D) To scan luggage for dangerous items
- How are X-rays harmful to living tissues?
- A) By causing mutations in DNA
- B) By triggering cell division
- C) By inducing allergic reactions
- D) By generating heat in cells
- Answer: A) By causing mutations in DNA
- What is the primary purpose of X-ray telescopes in astronomy?
- A) To observe visible light emitted from stars
- B) To detect cosmic rays in space
- C) To focus X-rays emitted from Earth’s atmosphere
- D) To observe high-energy photons from celestial objects
- Answer: D) To observe high-energy photons from celestial objects
Summary: Properties and Applications of X-rays
X-rays, a type of electromagnetic radiation, possess high energy capable of penetrating materials and causing damage to living cells. Their ability to pass through objects enables internal imaging of the body and various objects. Unlike charged particles, X-rays are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields. They propagate at the speed of light and exhibit characteristics such as fluorescence and ionization.
X-ray applications span across various fields:
- X-ray astronomy: Utilizes specialized telescopes to observe high-energy photons from celestial objects, often necessitating observation from high-altitude balloons or orbiting telescopes due to atmospheric blockage.
- X-ray therapy: Involves the use of high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA, although it can also affect normal cells.
- CAT Scanner (Computerized Axial Tomography): Employs X-ray beams and detectors to create detailed cross-sectional images of objects, enabling the detection of abnormalities like tumors with high precision.
- X-ray Detection: Commonly used for medical diagnostics such as detecting fractures and diseases like pneumonia, as well as in airport security systems for inspecting luggage and performing full-body scans to enhance safety measures.
Overall, X-rays play a crucial role in medical diagnostics, astronomy, and security, owing to their penetrating power and diverse applications across different fields.