Properties Of X-Ray

X-Rays are defined as weightless package of pure energy (Photon) that are without electrical charge  and that travel in waves along a straight line with a specific frequency and speed.

The Properties Of X-Ray are divided into 4 headings:

1. Physical
2. Chemical
3. Biological
4. Physiochemical

A) Physical Properties:

1. X-Rays are electromagnetic radiations having a wavelength between 10A to 0.01A
2. In Free Space they travel in a straight line
3. Speed – 1,86,000 miles/sec (same as that of visible light)
4. They are Invisible to Eye.
5. Cannot be Heard
6. Cannot be Smelt
7. They cannot be Reflected, Refracted or Deflected by magnetic or Electric Field
8. They show properties of Interference, Diffraction and Refraction similar to Visible light
9. They Produce an Electric field at right angles to their path of propagation
10. They Produce an Magnetic Field at right angles to the electric field and path of propagation.
11. They donot require any medium for propagation
12. Penetration: X-Rays can penetrate liquids, solids and gases. The degree of penetration depends on Quality, intensity and wavelength of Xyray beam.
13. Absorption: X-Rays are absorbed by matter, the absorption depends on the anatomic structure of the matter and the wavelength of the xray beam.
14. Ionizing Capability: X-rays interact with materials they penetrate and cause ionization
15. Fluorescence: when X-Rays fall upon certain materials visible light will be emitted called fluorescence.
16. X-Rays have the property of Attenuation, Absorption and Scattering
17. They also show Heating effect

B) Chemical Properties:

1. X-Ray induces colour changes of several substances or their solutions Ex: Methylene Blue gets Bleached
2. X-Rays bring about chemical changes in solution because X-Rays produce highly active radical OH ions in water, which react with the solutes.
3. X-Rays cause destruction of the fermenting powers of Enzymes

C) Biological Properties:

1. The excitation property of X-Rays are used in treatment of malignant lesions.
2. X-Rays also have a germicidal or bactericidal effect
3. Somatic Effect: This ranges from simple Sun Burn to Severe dermatitis or to change in blood supply to malignancy

D) Physiochemical Property:

1. X-rays are capable of producing an image on a photographic film