Question

Write two main properties of X-rays.

Answer 1

Hint: X-rays are considered as a particular range of electromagnetic spectrum. You can think of X-rays applications to answer this question. The properties of X-rays enable them for applications in the medical field, science field and industries.

Complete Step-by-Step solution:
X-rays are a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, but they are considered as the more energetic rays than our visible spectrum. These energetic properties help them to penetrate through many materials at various levels. That’s why we are extensively using X-rays to study the structures of bones, muscles, fat etc.
The properties of X-rays are;
1. They have shorter wavelengths than the visible spectrum.
2. They can travel through the vacuum.
3. They will choose straight lines for traveling.
4. They can penetrate through several materials at various degrees.

Additional information:
Wilhelm Roentgen invented X-rays while doing experiments with electron beams in a gas discharge tube. He saw that fluorescent screen glowed when the electron beam turned on. It showed the same, when the electron beam is covered with black board. So, he placed his own hands in between the path of the X-ray. Then he could see his bones.
They are widely used in imaging purposes of medical fields. Here the soft tissues are transparent to the X-rays while bones will block these rays. In X-ray technique, calcium in the bones is considered as a type of metal and their atoms are larger compared to other materials in the body. They can absorb the X-rays. But the smaller atoms present in the soft tissues are not able to absorb the X-rays.
For the researches related to science these X-rays can be used for various applications including analysis of crystallinity, unit cell dimensions, elemental analysis etc.

Note: Candidates are advised to learn the order of electromagnetic spectrum. It will help you to predict the properties regarding energy and wavelength of each rays in the spectrum. Do not forget the exposure of X-rays for a long time will make mutations to the healthy cells.