X-rays
⭐ MasteredX-rays are invisible rays that pass through soft body parts but not bones. Doctors use them to see broken bones. Wilhelm Röntgen discovered them in 1895.
The first X-ray picture showed his wife's hand.
All about X-rays
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with very short wavelengths. They can pass through soft tissues such as skin and muscle more easily than dense materials such as bone, which is why they show broken bones so clearly on a picture.
Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays in 1895 while experimenting with electricity in a glass tube. He found that the rays could create images on photographic plates, and they quickly became an important medical tool. Doctors use them carefully to limit exposure.
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Real-life uses of X-rays
- Checking whether a bone is broken
- Finding objects swallowed by mistake
- Checking teeth during a dental check-up
Frequently asked questions about X-rays
Are X-rays dangerous?
They are safe in carefully controlled medical doses, but too much exposure can harm the body, so doctors use them only when needed.
Why do bones look white on an X-ray?
Bone is dense and blocks more X-rays, so it appears white on the image.
Did Röntgen win a prize for X-rays?
Yes. He received the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.