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Originally, the term meant something like "an unknown ray" of some kind. The "X" ray or unknown ray was investigated by a number of early scientists. Wilhelm Röntgen was one of them, and he referred to the radiation in this way (as an "X-ray"). And that name stuck, though in many different languages the X-ray is referred to as Röntgen waves.

Wikipedia has a great article on X-rays with more information than you want - including a history of the investigations that lead up to an accurate description as to their source. A link is provided, and you'll find it below.

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Elinor Murray

Lvl 10
3y ago

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