Wilhelm Roentgen's Invisible Rays

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Wilhelm Roentgen investigated the light phenomena and other emissions created by releasing electrical currents in Crookes tubes, and glass bulbs, evacuated of air, with negative and positive electrodes. When a high voltage current was sent through these bulbs, a fluorescent glow would be displayed in them. During this time, Roentgen was studying electrical ray’s path as they were passing from an induction coil through a glass tube that was partially evacuated. For this experiment, the tube he used was in a completely dark room, and it was covered in black paper. Roentgen noticed that the platinobarium screen, which was nine feet away and covered in fluorescent material, was illuminated. He knew that the screen was illuminating due to the rays.
Roentgen realized that the cathode rays couldn’t cause this reaction, because the screen was too far. He theorized that invisible rays that came from the Crookes caused the fluorescent glow. Later, Roentgen discovered that these rays were capable of penetrating a few objects. He decided to use the rays on his own hand, and he was able to see the contrast between opaque bones and the translucent flesh. He found that the rays could pass through human tissue, causing bones and metals to be visible. Instead of using a screen, Roentgen used a …show more content…

These rays are highly penetrating and invisible, which is a form electromagnetic radiation. Magnetic and electric fields do not have an effect on the rays, and they are electrically neutral. A vast number of wavelengths and energies can created these rays. When the rays pass through matter, a small amount of heat is released. While in a vacuum, they are capable of traveling at the speed of light. The rays are also able to ionize matter. They can cause light to be released from certain crystals. A lens is not able to focus on these rays. Radiation can be scattered from these rays, which is very

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