X-ray

Legs
Hand

Covid -19 affected

lungs

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 On November 8, 1895 X- rays were discovered
by Wilhelm Konard Rontgen.

-- First X-ray of

Rontgen’s Wife’s hand.

W. K. Rontgen
First Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 was awarded
to Rontgen for the Discovery of X-rays.
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 What are X rays? X -rays are electromagnetic waves
of very short wavelength 0.01 nm to 10 nm.
How are X rays produced? when fast moving electrons strike
on a metal target of high atomic number x-rays are produced.

- +
Evacuated
Glass tube

Copper shell

Coolidge
X-Ray Tube
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When current is passed through the filament and
High voltage is applied between cathode and Anode
A beam of electrons passes from cathode to anode.
The electrons strike on the Target . Then they are
highly retarded on the Target.

A part of energy (above 99%) of electrons striking the

target is converted to Heat energy and less than 1% is
converted to X-ray.

Therefore the target material should have high atomic

number and high melting point.

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If V be the p. d. applied between C and A , Maximum K. E.
of electrons striking the target is given by K. Emax = e V

If fmax be the maximum frequency of X-rays produced , then

h x fmax = eV ………..(1)

In terms of wavelength we have

fmax  V
min  1/V
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Control of Quality of X-rays:
The quality of X-ray refers it’s energy. As we know energy
of X-rays depend on frequency which is proportional to the
p. d. applied between Cathode and Anode. Hence, by
varying the p. d. between the electrodes quality of X-rays
can be controlled in Coolidge tube.

Control of Quantity or Intensity of X-rays:

The quantity or intensity of X-ray depends upon the
number of electrons striking the target per sec which
depends upon the temperature filament. The temperature
of filament can be controlled by controlling the current
through it. Hence, by varying the current through the
filament the intensity of X-ray can be varied.
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 Properties of X-rays
1. X rays are electromagnetic waves of very short wavelength
ranging from 0.01nm to 10 nm.
2. X rays travel with speed of light in vacuum.

3. X- rays are not deflected by electric and magnetic fields.

4. X-rays ionize the gas through which they are passed.

5. X-rays are highly penetrating. They can pass through

thin sheet of Aluminium.

6. X-rays affect photographic papers. This property is used

in taking X- ray photograph in medical science.
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 7. X – rays produce fluoresecnce on fluorescent materials.

8. X- rays eject electrons from metal like light.

9. Excess exposure of X-rays on living beings may cause

harmful effects.

10. X-rays show the properties of reflection, refraction,

diffraction etc. as ordinary light.

11. When x-rays fall on metals secondary X-rays also produced.

12. X-rays are absorbed by lead, iron, bone etc.
Higher the thickness of material higher is the absorption.
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 Applications of X-rays

a. In Medical Science: In medical science X- rays are used

for diagnosis and radio therapy.
b. In Engineering: X-rays are used for detection of flaw
and crack in buildings , bridges etc.

c. In Industry: X- rays are used in industry for checking the

quality of industrial products eg. Welding of metals.
d. In Detective Departments: X-rays are used in detective
departments like airport, customs etc for checking goods.
e. In Scientific Research: X–rays are used in scientific
study of crystals.
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 Short Answer Questions

1. Can we use Aluminum as a target in an X-ray tube?

No. As large amount of heat is produced in the target
it should have high melting point to withstand heat.
So, Aluminum can not be used as a target because it
has low melting point .

2. Why do we get shadow of bone in X-ray photograph?

Dense bone absorbs much of the radiation while
soft tissue, such as muscle, fat and organs, allow more
of the x-rays to pass through them. As a result, bones
appear white on the x-ray, soft tissue shows up in shades
of gray and air appears black.
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 Numerical Problems
Q. 1. In an X-ray tube the electrons are accelerated with
a p. d. of 50kV. Calculate the maximum frequency of
the X-rays produced.
Solution:
Accelerating P. d. V = 50kV = 50000 V
Maximum frequency fmax = ?

We have, h fmax = eV

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Q.2. An X-ray tube works at a potential difference of 50kV.
Only 0.4% energy of the cathode ray is converted into
X-radiation and heat is produced on the target at a rate
of 600 W. Estimate i) The current passed into the tube
ii) the velocity of electrons striking the target,
iii) the number of electrons striking the target per sec.
iv) the minimum wavelength of X-rays produced.
(me= 9.1x10-31kg, e= 1.6x10-19 C, h=6.62x10-34 JS )
Solution:
Accelerating P.D. = 50kV= 50000V
Number of electron striking the
Rate of Heat produced P = 600W
target per sec n/t =?
% of X- ray produced = 0.4%
Minimum wavelength min =?
% of heat produced = 99.6%
Current passed I = ?
Velocity of electrons v = ?
Prepared by L N Bhattarai
Prepared by L N Bhattarai
Prepared by L N Bhattarai