Röntgen, Wilhelm Conrad
Published: August 18, 2006, 5:22 pm
Updated: August 18, 2006, 5:22 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845-1923), a German physicist who received the first Nobel Prize for Physics in 1901 for his discovery of the X-ray in 1895. This discovery initiated a new era of modern physics and would revolutionize the practice of diagnostic medicine. In 1895, while experimenting with electric current flow in a partially evacuated glass tube (cathode-ray tube), Röntgen observed that a nearby piece of barium platinocyanide gave off light when the tube was in operation. Further investigation revealed that paper, wood, aluminum, and many other materials were transparent to this new form of radiation, which also affected photographic plates. Röntgen took the first ever X-ray photographs of the interiors of metal objects and of the bones in his wife's hand. Like Pierre Curie several years later, he refused on moral grounds to take out any patents related to his discovery. The Röntgen (symbol 'R') is a unit of dosage for X-rays or gamma radiation. Natural background is around 10 mR per hour; 500 R over 5 hours is lethal to humans.
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Röntgen, Wilhelm Conrad". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 18, 2006; Last revised Date August 18, 2006; Retrieved May 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/R%C3%B6ntgen,_Wilhelm_Conrad>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845-1923), a German physicist who received the first Nobel Prize for Physics in 1901 for his discovery of the X-ray in 1895. This discovery initiated a new era of modern physics and would revolutionize the practice of diagnostic medicine. In 1895, while experimenting with electric current flow in a partially evacuated glass tube (cathode-ray tube), Röntgen observed that a nearby piece of barium platinocyanide gave off light when the tube was in operation. Further investigation revealed that paper, wood, aluminum, and many other materials were transparent to this new form of radiation, which also affected photographic plates. Röntgen took the first ever X-ray photographs of the interiors of metal objects and of the bones in his wife's hand. Like Pierre Curie several years later, he refused on moral grounds to take out any patents related to his discovery. The Röntgen (symbol 'R') is a unit of dosage for X-rays or gamma radiation. Natural background is around 10 mR per hour; 500 R over 5 hours is lethal to humans.
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment