What Are the Uses of X-Rays?

Discovered in 1901, x-rays have revolutionised the world of modern medicine. In fact, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was even awarded a Nobel prize for his discovery of the electromagnetic radiation. Just like gamma rays, x-rays can’t be seen, felt or heard. Instead, they effortlessly pass through skin, bone and metal to produce images that the human eye would never be able to see. Here are some of their most common uses:

Broken bones

Today, x-rays are an integral part of contemporary hospitals and medical centres. This is their most common application, with doctor’s using machines to take photographs of a patient’s body. Photographic film is placed behind the body, with the x-ray then turned on. The rays easily pass through the skin, but take a little longer to travel through the bone. This is why bones appear much lighter in colour. Using the results, doctors can develop effective treatment plans.

Radiation therapy

X-rays play an important role in the fight against cancer, with high energy radiation used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours.  Patients undergo treatment outside the body (known as external-beam radiation therapy) or from radioactive material that’s inserted into the body in close proximity to cancer cells. This is called internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy. Radiation therapy can be dangerous, yet it’s still received by around 50% of cancer patients during the course of their treatment.

Airport security

Almost every airport on the planet is now fitted with some form of x-ray security system that scans baggage to check for dangerous items. In the past few years full body x-ray scans have also emerged as an additional security measure.

Revealing counterfeit art

Perhaps one of the lesser known uses, x-rays are also used by art historians to detect whether or not a picture has been painted over an existing piece.

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Image via Flickr Creative Commons. Photo credits: Hersson Piratoba