![Wilhelm Roentgen [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cms.accelerate-ed.com/image/6579a762-ba66-4f92-b179-853fc8df7fcf.jpg)
As scientists dove more into the study of the atomic nucleus, radioactivity was somewhat of an accidental discovery. In 1896, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered that a new kind of ray was produced when a beam of electrons hit a piece of glass. Since they were an unknown ray, he called the X-rays. He later discovered that these rays could pass through solids. Of course, we know now that these rays were part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a high frequency. These rays are emitted just like atomic spectra, except the rays are not in the visible range. It is because the electrons that are excited come from the inner electron shells and take a lot more energy to excite.
Antoine Becquerel, wanted to find out if these types of X-rays occurred naturally (without the beam of electrons). To discover this, Becquerel wrapped black photographic paper around different elements. Most of the elements did not do anything to the paper, but he did notice that Uranium did as well as other elements close to Uranium on the periodic table. Not only was this type of radiation forced, but it was occurring naturally. These elements were deemed radioactive.
Question
What applications have come out of the discovery of X-rays?
X-rays are used in medicine to produce images of your body. It was not until later that it was determined that exposure to these types of rays should be limited for safety.
