The discovery and application of Roentgen rays: The development of science and technology has brought many benefits to mankind, but it is also accompanied by some potential dangers. A prominent example is the discovery and application of Roentgen rays. This great scientific discovery both changed the face of medical diagnosis and brought with it the potential radiation hazards. Let's review the history of this discovery, explore the application areas of X-rays, and learn how to use this powerful technological tool with caution. In 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen inadvertently observed a strange phenomenon while conducting cathode ray experiments. He shaded the cathode ray tube and placed a piece of cardboard coated with barium cyanide more than a meter away.
To his shock, the cardboard emitted a faint green glow, even though the lab barely had any light source. This phenomenon indicates that a ray capable of penetrating an object and exciting fluorescence is emitting from the cathode ray tube. Roentgen became so interested in this phenomenon that he called this ray X-rays, which represent unknown rays. In-depth study of X-rays revealed its remarkable properties, being able to penetrate many substances but have different transmittance for substances of different densities and thicknesses. Roentgen even personally illuminated his wife's hand, leaving images of hand bones and rings on the photosensitive plate, the first time in human history to see images of the inside of a living body. On December 28, 1895, he published a study entitled A New Ray to make the discovery of X-rays public.
This discovery sparked great interest and concern among scientists and the public around the world, and many began to repeat and expand his experiments, exploring the properties and applications of X-rays. X-ray was first used in the medical field, as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, which can show the bones, organs, tumors and other conditions inside the human body, and has great value for diagnosing diseases, locating foreign bodies, and guiding surgery. The emergence of this technology has brought earth-shaking changes to the medical community, enabling doctors to understand the patient's condition more accurately and providing an important basis for treatment. In addition to the medical field, the application of X-ray has also expanded to industry, scientific research and other fields, bringing revolutionary changes to all walks of life.
In the industrial field, X-ray is used to detect defects, cracks, bubbles, etc. in metals or other materials, improving product quality and safety. In the field of scientific research, the application of X-rays has promoted the development of materials science, physics and other fields, enabling scientists to study the structure and properties of matter in depth. However, the application of X-rays also comes with potential dangers. At first, people were not aware of the harm of X-ray radiation to the human body. Doctors and patients flocked to the X-ray machine, and some even took it multiple times because they thought it was a trend, an avant-garde experience. But over time, people gradually realized the dangers of X-ray radiation.
X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation that interacts with the cells and tissues of the body, leading to disruption of cellular structure and function, which may eventually lead to cell death, mutation, or cancer. The degree of harm depends on factors such as the dose of exposure, dose rate, irradiation site and extent, and can be divided into deterministic effects and random effects. Definitive effect refers to the fact that when the X-ray dose exceeds a certain threshold, it can cause damage or death of tissue or organ functions, such as skin ulcers, cataracts, infertility, etc. Random effects vary from person to person and may cause cell mutations or cancerous changes, such as tumors, leukemias, genetic diseases, fetal malformations, etc.
X-rays are also affected by the rate of radiation, and acute injuries are more common in patients with nuclear accidents or radiation therapy, manifested as skin burns, necrosis, and suppression of the hematopoietic system. Chronic injuries are common in people who work in radiation or live in areas with high radiation, and manifest as aging skin, pigmentation, and leukemia. Although X-rays are harmful to the human body, their use in medical diagnosis is usually in smaller doses, far below internationally mandated safety standards. A single chest X-ray usually produces only about 0.02 millisieverts, while abdominal radiographs are between 0.6 and 1.5 millisieverts. These amounts of radiation are well below the maximum dose of radiation that the public can accept each year, so it is safe to use X-rays moderately for medical diagnosis.
However, excessive exposure to X-ray radiation may increase the risk of disease. Although Roentgen won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of X-rays, he himself did not escape the dangers of X-rays. In the experiments, he took no protective measures and was exposed to high-intensity X-rays for a long time, which eventually led to his cancer and his death in 1923. This great scientist, with his life, brought a great discovery to mankind, but also paid a heavy price for the scientific enterprise. In addition to Roentgen, other scientists have also suffered serious injuries from contact with X-rays. The Curies, discoverers and researchers of radioactive elements, were injured by exposure to radioactive materials and X-rays.
Their contributions have been hailed as groundbreaking, but their research has also come at a health cost. Marie Curie died in a carriage accident in 1906, while Marie Curie continued her research, and died in 1934 due to radiation that prevented the bone marrow from producing blood cells. Her remains and personal belongings are still highly radioactive and require special protection. Overall, the discovery and application of X-rays has brought great benefits to humanity, but it has also taught us to be cautious and respect science. It is a powerful tool capable of revealing the internal structure of a substance, but it needs to be used with caution to reduce the risk of radiation.
The story of the Roentgen ray tells us that there may be unknown dangers hidden behind scientific discoveries, and we must treat them with caution and take appropriate precautions to ensure that the benefits of science are maximized and the harm is minimized. While enjoying the convenience and progress brought by science and technology, we should think about how to balance the relationship between science and technology and human health. How to pay more attention to human safety and health in the development of science and technology? How can the application of technology be regulated to minimize potential hazards? We need to strengthen scientific research, understand the potential risks posed by science and technology, and formulate corresponding rules and regulations to ensure that the development of science and technology is in the interests of mankind. At the same time, each of us should also increase our awareness of protection and avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.
When receiving a medical diagnosis, we should treat the doctor's advice rationally and follow the guidance of professionals. In work and life, we should also be aware of possible radiation sources and take appropriate protective measures to reduce the impact of radiation on us. The discovery and application of Roentgen rays is an important milestone in the history of science and technology, which has revolutionized the fields of medicine, industry and research. At the same time, it reminds us of the double-edged sword nature of technology, and we must use it carefully to protect our own health and that of others. Only in the balance between scientific and technological progress and human health can we continue to achieve greater achievements. What is your opinion on the double-edged sword of technology? How to balance technology and health? Welcome to leave your comments and opinions.