Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
X-rays are the second highest frequency and second shortest wavelength electromagnetic waves.
About X-rays
- X-rays are transverse waves.
- X-rays can travel through a vacuum as well as through gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
- The speed of x-rays through a vacuum is 300,000,000m/s.
- Transmitted - X-rays can pass through a medium.
- Absorbed - The energy transferred by x-rays can be taken in by certain materials.
- Reflected - X-rays can bounce off an interface between two media, particularly the surface of a shiny metal.
- Refracted - X-rays can change direction when they cross the interface between two media.
Unique Properties
- X-rays can cause electrons in many materials to gain enough energy to leave atoms creating ions which can destroy chemical bonds.
- X-rays can penetrate soft tissue such as the skin.
- X-rays are refracted by bones.
- X-rays cannot pass through heavy metals (metals with a high atomic mass).
Applications
- X-rays can be used to create medical images of bones because they can penetrate soft tissue such as the skin and are refracted by bones.
- X-rays can be used to create medical images of the intestines when a human ingests Barium Sulphate because X-rays cannot pass through heavy metals (metals with a high atomic mass).