X - Rays: have a wavelength just shorter than UV light.

Uses: Medical diagnosis, the study of crystal structures, radiotherapy.

Wavelength Range: 100Å to 0.1Å

Frequency Range: 10¹⁸ Hz to 10²⁰ Hz

Source: sudden deceleration of fast-moving electrons by the metal target.

Discovered by: Rontgen in 1895

Properties: effect on a photographic plate, ionization of gases, photoelectric effect, zero sense, more energetic than UV rays.

X-rays possess very short wavelengths that vary between 0.03 and 3 nanometers or between 0.02 Å and 100 Å;  however, some x-rays are small like a single atom of an element. 

Properties of X-Rays

X-rays with short wavelengths with high penetrating ability are highly destructive, that’s why they are called hard x-rays. 

The uses of X rays in medicinal purposes possess less penetrating power and have longer wavelengths and are called soft x-rays. X ray waves have a dual nature. We will now discuss the following properties of these radiations:

• They can cross the materials with more or unchanged.

• They are not easily refracted.

• These rays do not get affected by the electromagnetic field.

• X-rays ionize the surrounding air by discharging electrified bodies.

• They have very short wavelengths ranging from 0.1 A° to 1 A°. The velocity of X rays are similar to that of visible light, i.e., 186,000 miles/second or 300,000 kilometers/sec.

• X-rays are produced when a metallic anode is bombarded/broken by very high energy electrons.

• They can propagate independently, i.e., without any need of a medium.

• X-rays are diverging rays, i.e., they cannot be focused on a single point

• These radiations ar invisible, i.e., they cannot be heard or smelt

• They make a linear path in a free space but they do not carry an electric charge with them.

• They can cause photoelectric emissions.

• Intensity of X - rays rely on the number of electrons hitting the target.

• Continuous spectrum appears because of the retardation of electrons.