X-Rays This is a scientific report on X-rays, its history, uses, implications and other relevant facts. More prominence will be given to its medical use/importance as it was the most beneficial feature brought by X-rays. X-rays were discovered in 1895 when Wilhelm Conrad Röentgen was doing some experiments with electron beams in a gas discharge tube and observed a glowed in one of its fluorescent screens whenever the electron beam was turned on. It was a fact that fluorescent material usually glowed in reaction to magnetic radiation, but the gas discharge tube was surrounded by heavy black cardboard which according to Roentgen blocked most of the radiation. Confused and curious, Roentgen then inserted several objects between the tube and the light screen without anything different happening. Only after placing his hand could he see the outline of his bones projected on the fluorescent screen. Not only had he discovered x-rays, he had also discovered their most important use: to allow doctors to examine patients' bones, cavities and ingested objects without having to open them - a useful and non-invasive method. X-rays are invisible, high-energy electromagnetic radiation that tends to act the same way as a particle and a wave, which explains why X-ray detectors collect actual photons of X-ray light.Fig. 1Bones and teeth are denser than skin or other soft tissue so they absorb more X-rays, when an x-ray film is placed on one side of the body and the film and change color, for this reason it is possible to see the outline of the bones making it possible to diagnose broken or cracked bones. Examination of softer tissues such as the...... middle of paper ......rks.com/x-ray.htm> [Date accessed 20 October 2011] [Date accessed 20 October 2011] [Date accessed 20 October 2011] October 2011] Ron Kurtus, 2007. Health risks from X-rays. [online] Available at [Date accessed 22 October 2011]Fred Kavalier, 2003. X-rays and radiation. [online] Available on [Access date 22 October 2011]Fig. 1 NASA, The electromagnetic spectrum. [online] Available at:< URL:http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/images/EM_Spectrum3-new.jpg> [Accessed 25 October 2011]Fig. 2 [Access date 22 October 2011]