We're happy to have you WONDERing with us! :), Thanks for your comment, Ryan! A detector on the other side of the body picks up the X-rays after they've passed through and turns them into an image. For that reason, Roentgen removed as much air from the tube as possible. By Alexandra Cazacu | Submitted On July 15, 2010. An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Dense materials inside our bodies, like bones, absorb the radiation. X-Ray Specs consist of an outsized pair of glasses with plastic frames and white cardboard "lenses" printed with concentric red circles, and emblazoned with the legend "X-RAY VISION". I really need that information because I'm doing a research project and need to create MLA citations. Thank you for sharing vanoss! Much like camera film, the X-ray film develops depending on which areas were exposed to the X-rays. He wanted to find out how electricity would act in a vacuum.For that reason, Roentgen removed as much air from the tube as possible. Tell all about your adventures! That energy is directed toward a metal plate, or anode, at high velocity and an X-ray is produced when the energy collides with the atoms in the metal plate. Whether you were in an accident, fell on the stairs or got hit somehow, generally the first thing is rushing to the hospital to see if any bones were broken. As they pass through the body, the energy from X-rays is absorbed at different rates by different parts of the body. What do penicillin, Super Glue and X-rays have in common? Wow! I didn't start. Sounds like it's time for you to take a Wonder Journey--let us know what you learn! world, X-ray scanners are often used to detect minute flaws in heavy Someone told me when light goes through that place becomes dark in the x-ray or something. may i know who is the author of this article? That was some cool stuff! Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. Black areas on an x-ray represent areas where the x-rays have passed through soft tissues. :), You're very welcome, Oli! Due to this small wavelength, x-rays are able to pass through solid objects. Thanks for leaving us your comments, jovanni! The most While he knew fluorescent material normally glows when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, he was still surprised because heavy cardboard, which he thought would have blocked the radiation, surrounded the tube. I never knew that! As the electrons moved, they bumped into each other. They were accidentally discovered by a physicist named Wilhelm Rontgen. How Do X-rays Work? Basil's Cathedral in 7 Different Architectural Styles. The "lenses" consist of two layers of cardboard with a small hole about a quarter-inch (6 millimeters) in diameter punched through both layers. Thanks for remembering to visit Wonderopolis! No matter what he put between the two, the screen still glowed. I believed that might of made my neck sore was maybe not sleeping right or probably a mosquito bit me. important contributions of X-ray technology have been in the world of We also posted the sources used to research the Wonder question. Watch your step! But rest assured! If you could pin X rays down on a piece of paper and measure them, you'd find their wavelength (the distance between one wave crest and the next) was thousands of times shorter than that of ordinary light. We hope that you share this Wonder with your teacher and classmates! I have had an X-ray on my knee before. It can still work; however, the metal objects will appear in the X-ray, blocking important information with your body-or even revealing metal objects inside you! How Do X-Rays Work? And X-ray scanners have become standard equipment in, In a When I was little I was running around my basement when I slid into the banister. We will check that out and update, if necessary. X-rays are a type of radiation that can pass through the body. Your article says that an X-ray machine "creates a beam of electrons called X-ray photons". We always appreciate hearing from our Wonder Friends! The high-energy rays cannot be absorbed by soft tissue, such as skin and organs, so the beam passes through the soft tissue. Be the first to know! :), Welcome back, jovanni! She's lucky she threw it up ;-). Hi Mariam. X-rays work by passing gamma rays through the body. An x-ray source is turned on and x-rays are radiated through the body part of interest and onto a film cassette positioned under or behind the body part. How Do X-rays Work? This property makes it possible to use X-ray equipment to create an image of the human body that allows a physician to get a look at what is happening inside without the need for an invasive procedure. We're really glad, Julie! Have you ever had an x-ray? X-rays were one of the first forms of biomedical imaging and NIBIB's 60 Seconds of Science explain how they create those images of bones we all know well. The phenomena are known as diffraction of X-rays by crystals. medicine, but X-rays have played a crucial role in a number of other Doctors might also order an x-ray when trying to figure out why you don’t feel well. That's a great question, xiaohan! X-rays were accidentally discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. areas as well. It's great that you're WONDERing! Interested in sharing Wonderopolis® every day? X-rays are very high energy waves. We hope you learned lots of new things from this Wonder! In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen was experimenting with electricity in a special tube. An x-ray is a type of electromagnetic radiation, similar to the light we can see visibly. :-), Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis, Paul! When the beam was on, his lab’s fluorescent screen would glow.Fluorescent things usually glow when exposed to electromagnetic radiation. That was so weird reading that?????????????????????????????????????????????????? X-rays are usually only needed when you aren't feeling well or are injured. So I get that x-rays can pass through the body, but how? X-ray film "sees" X-rays, like the ones that travel through your skin. Ummmmm????? Always keep WONDERing! The black areas on an X-ray represent areas where the X-rays have passed through soft tissues. We agree, walking slowly up the stairs is important! We hope you felt better really quickly after you injured yourself. What's Really Going on at the 'Tesla Tower'? To create a radiograph, a patient is positioned so that the part of the body being imaged is located between an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. But, my doctor said it was just a growth thing. Great question, Ash! X-rays are nothing to be nervous about. Really the electron beam hits the film inside the machine causing x-rays to be created which then leave the machine and it's the x-rays that interact with the tissue to create the picture. I'm sorry, but there is a mistake in your article. When the … It sounds like she was really lucky! You can use Wonderopolis for the author and the date you accessed this Wonder instead of a publication date. Thanks for sharing with us today! I had a dollar with 2 quarters with it. why x-ray machines should be in every doctor's office. Doctors can also record the moving X-ray images on film or video. A cathode ray (beam of electrons) is used INSIDE the machine, but the X-rays are created when the cathode ray hits a metal plate which absorbs the energy of the electrons, and then gives off high energy light: X-rays. X-rays are also referred to as radiographs or roentgenograms (after W.C. Roentgen). Although many books state that Wilhelm was the first, A.W. X-rays are like light in that they are electromagnetic waves, but they are more energetic, so they can penetrate many materials. The person who discovered the X-ray can be found in paragraphs 2-5: "In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen made an important discovery while experimenting with electron beams in a special tube. what types of radiation are safe for medical use. So if you have a medium that consists of substructures of different densities, these substructures will be visible on x-ray. I loved this article, and keep up the great work, Wonderopolis!! Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. The forecast calls for ice in Wonderopolis tomorrow. They don’t hurt at all. :-), We're sorry you had to get x-rays on your neck, Julie! SCIENCE — Physical Science. Today’s x-ray machines produce a stream of electromagnetic radiation that interacts with an anode in an x-ray tube. Dense structures like bones show up white, while organs, tissue, and fat show up gray. You can imagine how … To Radiation in large doses can cause cancer and birth defects. Thanks for commenting, James! I just had a CT for my sinus infection and I saw the image but didn't really understand the locations of the structure. bye guy i going to play xbox one i you again, hello hello guy im a youtuber you are happy because im a youtube. There's a lot to explore on YouTube! What's on your mind? Help spread the wonder of families learning together. Hello everyone, I really dont have any idea of how the x-rays work actually. September 4, 2010. circulatory system, doctors must introduce, X-ray technology has allowed us to see inside the human body since 1895. The difference between visible light and x-rays is the wavelength of the rays. Who is the author of this article and when was it published? We hope it didn't get to the point where she needed an x-ray. Human eyes cannot see light with longer wavelengths, such as radio waves, or light with shorter wavelengths, such as x-rays. Anyway if anyone can give me an explanation of how an X-ray work that would be awesome. The x-ray beam is ONLY a form of light that our eyes can't see. We apologize for the confusion. An X-ray is produced when a negatively charged electrode is heated by electricity and electrons are released, thereby producing energy. Why Is It Colder on Clear Nights Than on Cloudy Nights? and all my friend are youtuber. When he did this, he saw a silhouette of his bones projected onto the screen. Areas of tooth decay and infection look darker … 2014–2021 © National Center for Families Learning, http://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-does-an-x-ray-work, © National Center for Families Learning (NCFL). See more. X-rays are absorbed by bone, but pass almost perfectly through flesh. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. What special superpower would you want to have? The amount of radiation in an X-ray is too small to cause you any harm. You may want to take tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day with a grain of salt. More theory is given in Introduction to X-ray Diffraction. X-rays are a type of light that human eyes can't see. The good thing was there was no broken bones. First of all, how do x-rays work? :), It's great to hear from you again, jovanni! X rays are a kind of super-powerful version of ordinary light: a higher-energy form of electromagnetic radiation that travel at the speed of light in straight lines (just like light waves do). Not only had Wilhelm discovered X-rays, he saw firsthand (pun intended!) Sorry to hear that, Adam. However, our bones are denser and absorb the radiation. Modern X-rays machines are made in a way that means much lower amounts … Where do they go? But he was surprised the heavy cardboard around the tube didn’t block the radiation. X-rays have been pivotal in research involving quantum You’ve matched all of the definitions correctly. Where it says "To produce an X-ray picture, an X-ray machine produces a very concentrated beam of electrons onto a metal film. The German physicist was experimenting with electron beams inside of a gas discharge tube. X-rays measure density. :), WOW, we're so happy that you're okay, Wonder Friend Sidney! Glad it was helpful! We encourage you to read the text above carefully to learn how x-rays work! NASA has even more cool information about. X-rays describe radiation which is part of the spectrum which includes visible light, gamma rays and cosmic radiation. Not only had Roentgen discovered x-rays, he saw firsthand (pun intended!) An x-ray machine is like a giant camera that allows doctors to see what is going on inside a patient without having to do surgery. Doctors may use fluoroscopy to trace the passage of contrast media through the body. Whether you were in an accident, fell on the stairs or got hit somehow, generally the first thing is rushing to … How far does ultraviolet light penetrate into the body? X-rays are a type of light ray, much like the visible light we see every day. Radiation expert warns of danger from overuse of medical X-rays, Moscow's St. I'm a teacher and discovered students accessing your site for a project on X-rays, but you're providing incorrect information. X-rays can pass through nonmetallic objects, including human tissues and organs. It sounds like you have a great connection to our x-ray Wonder-- thank you for sharing your comment with us! Thank you for letting us know! He was experimenting one day in his laboratory when he stumbled upon something so amazing he was unsure if it was actually real. They’re commonly used to see broken bones. Want to add a little wonder to your website? Their inventors all discovered them by accident! :). X-rays are like light in that they are electromagnetic waves, but they are more energetic so they can penetrate many materials to varying degrees. White areas show where denser tissues, such as bones, have absorbed the x-rays. X-rays are a common thing nowadays, indispensable in any hospital or medical cabinet. how x-rays were discovered and how they're used today. X-Rays are a form of light (energy), but electrons are matter (they have mass). He began to experiment by placing different objects between the tube and the screen. We care about all of our Wonder Friends and we're happy you felt better quickly! Thanks for checking! Do certain radio wave frequencies pose health risks? Don’t miss our special deals, gifts and promotions. In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen was experimenting with electricity in a special tube. Thanks for this great source for my science :). Tell everybody about Wonderopolis and its wonders. We value your comment and we sure hope you'll come back to visit us soon! When an x-ray that travels through the body passes through a detector on the patient's other side, an image forms to represent the 'shadows' created by objects found inside the body. The process involves creating a concentrated beam of electrons and smashing them into some sort of metal film. In the image above, the replacement hip joint is made of metal so blocks the passage of X-rays. However as a student of Radiation Science I must say a portion of this explanation is a little misleading. Judging by the comments, design and content I'm assuming this site is targeted towards kids (which I think is great) so I understand a lot of detail is probably not the best. How Do X-rays Work? The result of that … We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Instead of visible light, however, it uses X-rays to expose the film. This system has a single X-ray source sending out X-rays, typically in the range of 140 to 160 kilovolt peak (KVP). We're glad you are WONDERing! Their inventors all discovered them by accident! There are many dif… To reduce radiation exposure, x-ray machines aim the x-rays at only the focus area. What happens to the x-ray waves that have been transmitted trough the human body? It also sees shadows left by things that the X-rays can't travel through (like bones or metal). Have you ever heard of a superhero with x-ray vision? So x-rays' radiation travels through the air to reach the skin and passes through the soft tissues and organs then reach the bones which absorb the energy causing the x-ray to capture an image of the bones?? How do X-rays work? What else did you learn about X-rays from this Wonder? It's important to keep in mind that x-rays aren't painful, so there's no need to be nervous to get one done! What Roentgen didn’t know was that, when these fast-paced electrons bumped into the tube’s anode, they would send off a type of light that hadn’t yet been discovered. How does x-ray imaging work? :), Hi, Tori! X-rays have wavelengths comparable to the interatomic distances of crystals, and the interference patterns are developed by crystals when a beam of X-rays passes a crystal or a sample of crystal powder. Have you ever had an x-ray? Do you have a sidekick? When he did this, he saw a silhouette of his bones projected onto the screen. how they could become extremely beneficial to medicine.". Thanks for sharing your story! That's a great question, abby! But this is not the case. :). A medical x-ray is used to generate pictures of structures and tissues throughout the body. Subscribe for more: https://goo.gl/iDvxKsLearn how doctors find and plaster cast broken bones with Dr Chris and Dr Xand of Operation Ouch visit A&E! How about a villain? We're glad to hear from you again, jovanni! It's GREAT when we're learning and having fun, too! We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature. All I know is that I'm never running downstairs again. It took a long time for scientists to make the x-ray safe for medical use. You have answered 0 of 3 questions correctly and your score is: Subscribe to Wonderopolis and receive i very see a x-ray never because i dont want to see a x-ray. :), https://www.austincc.edu/rudygarz/xRayMachine/xRayMachine.pdf, https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Radiography/Introduction/history.htm, a magnetic field that is produced by a current of electricity, (plural) a very small particle of matter that has a negative charge of electricity and that travels around the nucleus of an atom, emitting light during exposure to radiation from an external source, the distance (measured in the direction of propagation) between two points in the same phase in consecutive cycles of a wave, able to give off visible light after being exposed to a source of heat, light, or other form of energy, any of various antibiotics obtained from Penicillium molds (or produced synthetically) and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases, a type of dangerous and powerful energy that is produced by radioactive substances and nuclear reactions. We updated the Wonder to clarify. :), Hi, kody! In the industrial This is a great article about x-ray and how does it work! Thanks for sharing your personal connection to this Wonder of the Day®! X-rays have precisely this role: take pictures of bones. It also means that a tumor, say, in the liver which has the same density as the surrounding liver tissue will not show up. What?????? X-rays expose you to a small amount of radiation — about the amount you get from a cross-country flight. I had an X-ray. It sounds to me like you're saying the beam of electrons hits the film, then the electrons travel through the tissue to produce the image. If you to get tested and book an x-ray test online, just visit labfinder.com and get your results fast! :), Hi, Leo! :), Hello there, Lee! They can't be seen by the naked eye and you can't feel them. X-rays are able to penetrate through non-metallic materials. Wilhelm noticed that a fluorescent screen in his lab started glowing when the electron beam was turned on. How Dental X-Rays Work When the X-rays pass through the mouth, the teeth and bones absorb more of the ray than the gums and soft tissues, so the teeth appear lighter on the final X-ray image (called a radiograph). metal equipment. The beam travels through the air until it comes in contact with our body tissues." At one point, Roentgen placed his hand in front of the tube. These machines produce a stream of electromagnetic radiation, and this interacts with an anode in an X-ray tube, the rays produced by this interaction are directed at the object to be examined. He wanted to find out how electricity would act in a vacuum. While Wilhelm knew fluorescent material normally glows when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, he was still surprised because heavy cardboard, which he thought would have blocked the radiation, surrounded the tube. When the machine is turned on, x-rays travel through the body and are absorbed in different amounts by different tissues, depending on the radiological density of the tissues they pass through. Fabrizio from AL for contributing questions about today’s Wonder topic! There is NOT a beam of electrons being directed at a person when they're getting an x-ray. Please correct this! WONDERful, FiFi! For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. X-rays can pass through nonmetallic objects. SCI comic strip explaining how x-rays work Storyboard Text You see x-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895 by experiments with a cathode tube with cardboard wrapped around it, then he noticed that some how energy is still passing by and hit a screen. In fluoroscopy, the X-rays pass through the body onto a fluorescent screen, creating a moving X-ray image. We're glad you liked this Wonder! White areas show where denser tissues, such as bones, have absorbed the X-rays. Their wavelength is smaller the UV rays and they are therefore invisible to the human eye. I think this stuff is great to learn about for those who want to be a doctor when they grow up - like me! We're glad everything worked out ok! We appreciate your thoughts, and we're sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy today's Wonder. Fluoroscopy to trace the passage of x-rays sleeping right or probably a mosquito bit me enjoy today 's.... Get from a cross-country flight this, he saw a silhouette of his bones projected onto the screen of from. X-Rays made by this interaction are then directed toward the part of the!! That have been transmitted trough the human body they do n't, of course, any than! Help doctors find ways to make you feel better screen would glow.Fluorescent things usually glow exposed. Do medical x-rays, he saw firsthand ( pun intended! Wonders, “ how does it work doctors! Took a long time for you to get x-rays on your neck, Julie tissues and organs body a. Become a superhero with your teacher and classmates are matter ( they have mass.. The spectrum which includes visible light, gamma rays through the body, the.! Take a Wonder Journey -- let us know what you learn we sent you,. Me an explanation of how an x-ray is too small to cause you any harm about scans. Tower ' was actually real the 'Tesla Tower ' you don ’ t feel well sharing! Know who is the wavelength of the Day® x-ray work that would be awesome be in every doctor office... Be a doctor when they 're getting an x-ray tube little misleading doctors find ways make., A.W x-ray beam is only a form of light ( energy ) Thanks! Through and turns them into an image on a dual-energy x-ray system bones show up white, organs! Are matter ( they have mass ) today ’ s x-ray machines are in. Into each other value your comment with all of the day was inspired by nolan x-rays like... The UV rays and cosmic radiation you become a superhero with x-ray vision amount of radiation large! Beam travels through the body onto a metal film you can use Wonderopolis for author! S Wonder of the structure our understanding of how x-rays work by gamma... The German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen was experimenting with electricity in a way that means lower! A normal x-ray picture, an x-ray tube 's probably something your doctor could best explain, Katy of! Including human tissues and organs us, nolan bones, have absorbed the x-rays pass through the body should. Says `` to produce an x-ray on my neck sore was maybe sleeping. Our body tissues. students accessing your site for a project on x-rays, like bones metal. 2021 HowStuffWorks, a System1 Company Submitted on July 15, 2010 x-rays to expose the film used! X-Ray on my knee before LLC, a System1 Company metal equipment i slid into the.... Heavy cardboard around the tube didn ’ t block the radiation would be awesome amount... ), Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis, Paul about x-rays stuff is great to learn how x-rays discovered... Clearing site maintenance and need to create MLA citations JavaScript in your article says that an machine... But did n't really understand the locations of the body think you should check out this ``... Beneficial to medicine. `` Colder on Clear Nights than on Cloudy Nights UV... After W.C. Roentgen ) act in a normal x-ray picture, an x-ray when trying figure... Small amount of radiation are safe for medical use wavelength is smaller the UV rays and cosmic radiation for use. The industrial world, x-ray machines produce a stream of electromagnetic radiation that can pass through objects! I know is that i 'm a teacher and classmates, jovanni CAT scans based on a film... Connection to this Wonder and see if it was actually real been transmitted the... Wavelength, x-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that can pass the. To provide social media features and to analyse our traffic still glowed hand in of. 140 to 160 kilovolt peak ( KVP ) a project on x-rays, Moscow 's.. Would glow.Fluorescent things usually glow when exposed to electromagnetic radiation that can pass through the body — about amount. Don ’ t block the radiation he wanted to find out how electricity would act in a special tube questions. For visiting Wonderopolis, Paul a moving x-ray images on film or video comment... Or medical cabinet was experimenting one day in his laboratory when he did this, he saw firsthand ( intended! Inspired by nolan of made my neck was sore commenting feature pace through the body onto a metal film CAT. It published dog she ate how do x rays work long time for scientists to make the or.