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X-RAY  

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  • X-Ray (Or x-radiation, Rntgen ray) is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than that of ultraviolet radiation and greater than that of gamma radiation. <P> Discovered accidentally by Rntgen in 1895. The primary mechanism for the production of x- rays is deceleration of a rapidly moving charge upon interaction with matter (bremsstrahlung). The x-ray spectrum from an x-ray tube consists of this continuous spectrum on which are superimposed narrow bands (characteristic radiation) that are a consequence of transitions between electronic energy levels of atoms. No sharp boundary exists between x- and ultraviolet radiation nor between x- and gamma radiation, although the latter term is usually restricted to radiation resulting from transitions between nuclear energy levels. (en)

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https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/12156f9d-9731-446e-b9de-a781af653b1c

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