röntgensäteidenkohdistuvat

Röntgenstrålar, often referred to as X-rays, are a form of electromagnetic radiation that possess high energy. They were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895, a discovery for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. Röntgenstrålar have wavelengths that range from about 0.01 to 10 nanometers and frequencies between 30 petahertz and 30 exahertz.

The primary characteristic of röntgenstrålar that makes them useful is their ability to penetrate matter. Different materials absorb X-rays to varying degrees. Denser materials, such as bone and metal, absorb X-rays more effectively than less dense materials like soft tissue. This differential absorption is the basis for medical imaging. When X-rays pass through a body part and strike a detector or photographic plate, areas that absorbed more radiation appear lighter, while areas that absorbed less appear darker, creating an image that reveals internal structures.

Beyond medical diagnostics, röntgenstrålar are employed in various scientific and industrial applications. They are used in crystallography to determine the atomic and molecular structure of materials, in security screening at airports to inspect luggage, and in industrial radiography for non-destructive testing of welds and manufactured parts. However, due to their ionizing nature, prolonged or excessive exposure to röntgenstrålar can be harmful, necessitating protective measures when working with this type of radiation.