Could x-rays be used as an example of something associated with physics?

Answer 1

Yes, X-Rays are very energetic particles that move at light speed (they are actually radioactive photons). They are a form of energy and when they hit matter they can impart some of their energy to that matter making it radioactive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-rays).

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics
"Physics is the science concerned with the discovery and understanding of the fundamental laws which govern matter, energy, space and time."

X-rays are a form of energy; they affect matter by passing through it and transferring energy to it. They move at the speed of light, which can lead to a discussion on space-time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_time).

X-rays are very energetic particles moving quite rapidly. They are strong enough to penetrate most matter. X-rays move at light speed so they are actually a form of photons. A discussion of x-rays can lead into a discussion of Einstein’s theories, what happens at near light speed, and radiation. You can go from there to the electromagnetic spectrum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum) or to how radiation is harmful and onto radiation effects (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation).

A black hole emits radiation in the form of x-rays and cosmic rays. When the matter sucked into a black hole gets close to the event horizon they start to bunch up and collide. This high-speed collision generates energy. Only something as energetic as gamma rays or x-rays can escape a point near the event horizon. So x-rays can lead to a discussion of black holes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_holes). A discussion of black holes requires a discussion of gravity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity).

X-rays are used in X-ray crystallography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_diffraction) the diffraction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction) of the x-rays are used to determine the compisition and make up of crystal formations. A discussion on diffraction can lead to the classic example of light wave interferience, when a single light source is shown throught two slits.

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Ray_Microscope
“An X-ray microscope uses electromagnetic radiation in the soft X-ray band to produce images of very small objects.

Unlike visible light microscopes, X-rays do not reflect or refract easily, and they are invisible to the human eye. Therefore the basic process of an X-ray microscope is to expose film or use a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector to detect X-rays that pass through the specimen, rather than light which bounces off the specimen.”

A discussion on this topic can lead to how Intergrated Circuits and computer chips work (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge-coupled_device). This leads to a discussion of semiconductors and the physics of electricty.

When the astronauts were in space they saw flashes of light when they closed their eyes. Scientists later determined that these flashes were the result of intense radiation like gamma rays, cosmic rays, and x-rays impacting the iris. This can lead to a discussion on the space program and how it is a perfect example of Classical Newtonian Physics. It may be a bit of a stretch though.

It all depends on which are of physics you want to talk about.

Answer 2

Yes. X-rays are used to study the universe - x-rays from matter spiralling into black holes, x-ray emission from the sun, x-ray diffraction which was used to discover DNA, x-rays of bones, etc.

Answer 3

Most of the scientists are Christians rather than atheists. Christianity has a much deeper meaning than what appears in the texts of the Holy Bible. One has to have a very logical and scientific temper to understand the true essence contained in the Bible. So scientists can very well be Christians.

Answer 4

they let us "see" balck holes. thought you cant actually see a black hole we can detect the x-rays commming off it

Answer 5

Duh, yeah. You are talking about shooting electrons and photographing what is essentially the relative speed at which they traveled.