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PHYSICS:
BASIC PHYSICS: RADIATION: X-RAYS |
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Physics Brief: |
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X-rays are a form of
electromagnetic radiation generated by energetic
electron
processes with
electromagnetic
frequencies in the range of 30 Petahertz (1015
hertz) to 60 Exahertz (1018
hertz). They are similar to
gamma rays, which
are produced by transitions within atomic nuclei. X-rays with a
wavelength longer than 0.1 nanometers are called soft X-rays. At
wavelengths shorter than this, they are called hard X-rays. Hard X-rays
overlap the
wavelength range of low energy
gamma rays,
however the distinction between the two terms refers to the source of the
radiation, not
its
wavelength.
Like gamma rays,
X-rays are highly penetrating, and biological exposure to X-ray
radiation is
dangerous and carcinogenic. The atmosphere of Class M planets, however,
readily absorb large amounts of X-rays and
gamma rays,
making them opaque to these damagingly high
frequency
electromagnetic waves. Some rare
applications of lasers rely on X-rays. |
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