X-rays
Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is a kind of radiation including visible light, radio waves, gamma rays and X-rays, in which electric and magnetic fields vary simultaneously.
Electromagnetic spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of frequency of electromagnetic radiation and their respective wave lengths and photon energies.
X-ray is the second last on the electromagnetic spectrum
Frequency range
Transverse or longitudinal
Wavelength range
X-rays have a high frequency range with frequencies corresponding from about 10^16 to 10^20 Herts (Hz)
X-rays have an extremely short wavelength wave ranging from about 10^-8 to 10^-12 metre
X-rays are identified as transverse waves.
All electromagnetic waves are longitudinal since they are all perpendicular to the direction of the waves advance.
3 Uses of X-rays
Urinary tract conditions
Mammography
Fractured bones
Patients who sustain a bone injury are usually asked to undergo x-rays. Even if a fracture is diagnosed without an x-ray, it can still provide significant information about the fracture. The images can tell a doctor if the fracture is complete (the bone is broken into two pieces) or if it’s partial. The x-ray can also depict if the bone has moved out of its original place and if the fracture has caused the bone to shatter or break in multiple pieces. Based on the findings from the x-ray, a doctor can determine how to treat the fracture in the best way possible so it heals correctly.
Another common use of x-rays is to look into the body’s organs for issues. IVP or intravenous pyelogram x-ray involves injecting a contrast material into the body prior to performing the x-ray to help highlight issues in the bladder, ureters, and kidneys. The contrasting material helps highlight abnormalities better in the x-ray images. Common examples of when an IVP x-ray may be requested is if you have blood in your urine or if you have unexplained lower abdominal pain.
A mammogram is another very common application for the x-ray and is requested for patients who want to get tested for abnormal growths in the breast. Mammograms use x-rays to capture images of what’s inside the breasts. It is used to detect abnormal growths so a determination can be made if further testing is necessary. Mammograms have drastically reduced deaths associated with breast cancer since 1990 because it allows for early diagnosis.
Facts about X-rays
Fact 2
Fact 1
During world war 1, x-rays were already being used for medical purposes, including locating bullets n the human body
X-rays were originally considered completely safe to the body, even though technicians would often suffer burns
References
Website: Google Author: William L. Hosch Date: 19/7/20 Title: Transverse wave physics URL: https://britannica.com/science/transverse-wave
Website: Google Author: Socratic Date: 10/11/15 Title: Why is electromagnetic radiation a transverse wave URL: https://socratic.org
Website: Google Author: Varsity Date: N/A Doesn't say Title: Longitudinal and transverse waves URL: https://www.varsitytutors.com
Website: Google Author: St cloud orthopedics Date: 26/2/18 Title: 14 facts about X-rays URL: https://www.stcloudorthopedics.com
Website: Google Author: independentimaging Date: 3/5/19 Title: Top 3 uses of X-rays URL: https://www.independentimaging.com
Website: Google Author: Oxford dictionary Date: 22/3/22 Title: Electromagnetic radiation URL: https://www.oxfordleanersdictionaries.com