What is a x ray?

Answer 1

That question can mean two different things:

1)

An X-ray is a type of electromagnetic radiation. It has a higher frequency than visible light and ultraviolet radiation, but a lower frequency than gamma rays.

X-rays are special in that they can go through stuff that stops visible light, so they can be used to take pictures of things that are inside other things - like your bones.

But "an x-ray" can also be used as the name for the procedure of having an x-ray picture taken.

iT'S LIKE WHEN YOU BREAK A BONE OR YOU DON'T HAVE TO BREAK NOTHiNG THEY DO A XRAY SO THEY CAN SEE WHERE THE BONE iS BROKEiN & WHAT THEY NEED TO DO FOR THE BROKEN BONE.

Answer 2

An X-ray machine is a device which produces a beam of X-rays, a type of invisible high energy electromagnetic (EM) radiation. The machine basically consists of a high voltage power supply connected to a specially designed cathode ray tube; the cathode of the tube emits a stream of electrons which are accelerated by the high voltage and slammed into a metal anode. In the collision, the energy of the electrons is absorbed and re-emitted as a beam of X-ray energy. X-rays are nearly the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation. The main classifications of EM radiation, listed in order of increasing energy, are ELF/VLF, radio, microwaves, infrared, light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. Any radiation more energetic than light is potentially damaging to living tissue, and exposure must be carefully controlled. Early developers and users of X-ray machines suffered deep and terrible burns, not realizing the serious biological consequences of long exposure to ionizing radiation. Originally, X-ray machines were used to penetrate the human body and other objects in order to create a shadow image on photographic film; this technique is still widely used in medicine, dentistry and nondestructive materials analysis. The versatility of X-ray machines was increased by the development of electronic scintillation detectors to replace the use of film; electrical signals sent from the detectors to a computer can be used to create a shadow image on a monitor. This technology is used to examine baggage at airports. Computerized tomography (CT scans or CAT scans) produces high resolution 3-dimensional internal views by rotating both an X-ray tube and sensitive scintillation detector around the body being examined.

Answer 3

Xray radiation is created when high speed electrons hit a solid object. Basically high voltage electricity (usually 40,000 - 120,00 volts) is pushed across a gap from a cathode to an anode. The Anode is usually made of tungsten or other materials that can withstand high temperatures. The anode is usually spinning so that the target is not hit in the same spot over and over again, this allows the anode to last longer.

When the high voltage hits the target it releases xray radiation. Xray radiation is invisible, but it causes some elements to glow. The best used today are rare earth elements like yttrium and gadolinium.

The xrays travel through the patient's body and hit a film cassette that is treated with some of these rare earth elements and it glows wherever the xrays reach it. Some of your body blocks the xrays so the screen only glows in areas that is not entirely blocked. The thicker and more dense the body part the more xrays are blocked. Bone is very dense so it blocks more xrays than most any other tissue, so bones show up as clear areas on the film. The film is placed between these screens inside the cassette safe from regular light. So that the only light that reaches this film is the light created by the glowing elements bombarded by xray radiation.

The glowing of the elements bombarded by xrays causes the film to turn black and or grey depending on the amount of xrays that are blocked.

Modern xray machines have cassettes that use different phosphorus materials that keep a temporary image on the cassette then the cassette is read by a machine and creates a digital image. There is no film in these type of cassettes.

This is done because more and more facilities are not using film anymore. Storing xrays is cheaper and more efficient on computer hard drives as digital xrays. Because of the digital storage of xrays some xray machines do not use cassettes at all, only digital readers.

Here is a link with pictures and more complete explanation. http://science.howstuffworks.com/x-ray.htm

Answer 4

To see broken parts of the body such as bones and detect fractures that can't be seen by a naked eye

Answer 5

High energy electromagnetic radiation; can be used to make images of the interior of the body. or a machien that lets u see the inside your body

Answer 6

to see broken bones