Essay Sample on Wilhelm Rontgen's Revolutionary Discovery of X-Rays

Introduction

Wilhelm Rontgen, an experimental physicist, revolutionized science by discovering electromagnetic radioactivity in a wavelength series contemporarily called X-rays. He systematically studies the effects of X-rays beams, which later resulted in a remarkable achievement of a Noble Prize in Physics in 1901 (Explorable 1). The unprecedented discovery has proved crucial in the field of Radiology, offering career opportunities to radiologists and healthcare professionals. More so, his pioneering innovation creates new vistas in research and further developments in the field of radiology. Rontgen's great experimental skill, the accuracy of critical judgment, keen observation, and scientific background led to his discovery (Panchbhai 94). The invention made the structures in the human form to be seen without cutting the body. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the contribution of German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen to the field of radiology.

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Discovery of X-ray

The year 1895 is significant in the field of radiology, as it marks the discovery of X-rays. Wilhelm Rontgen was researching exterior spectacles connected with passing an electrical current over rarified gas within several kinds of void tubes. Studies by other researchers, namely Crookes, Lenard, Guericke, Goldstein, Hertz, Hittorf, Plucker, and Varley, had been conducted using vacuum tubes. For instance, in 1892, Lenard developed a machine with rays directed to a thin aluminum window that allowed the learning of cathode rays external of the container they were formed (Panchbhai 92).

Rontgen, in early November of 1895, he was repeating a test using different vacuum tubes, including Lenard and Hittorf-Crookes tubes (Panchbhai 92). He added cardboard covering to guard the thin aluminum window from harm by the solid electrical field required to obtain rays of cathode. The wooden covering barred light from getting out, and unseen cathode rays formed a small screen on the wooden covering coated with barium platinocyanide to incandesce. The fluorescence of the beaker walls got identified after stimulating the cathode ray cylinder.

Later on, he enfolded the whole cylinder with dark cardboard with adequate shielding, and a weak glow was noticeable from the barium platinocyanide a meter away from the container. Recurrent experiments on the phenomenon established that ordinary rays or rays of cathode could not be the cause of the glimmer since they do not transit faraway through the air (Panchbhai 92). Having established this, he noted a new and previously unidentified system of radiation caused the fluorescence of the barium platinocyanide shade reserved a distance away.

Continued investigation got conducted on the new light by inspecting the aptitude of different resources to halt the new emissions. During the experiment, Rontgen brought his hand in the pathway of the new ray and observed a spectral copy of the skeletons of his fingers on the barium platinocyanide canopy. The observation brought the discovery that new rays could pass through the human tissues making the bones visible.

Rontgen feverishly researched the radiation nature and made the first significant effective phases by substituting the luminous shade with a photographic copy plate. The photographic plate was to store the pictures from the effect of the new rays. The first-ever radiograph of a human being is a recording of Rontgen's wife Bertha after a 15-minute exposure of her hand on the rays (Panchbhai 92). Basing on continuous experiments and research, he established that X-ray beams get generated by the effect of cathode rays on materials objects (Explorable 2). The unknown nature of the new light caused the light to be referred to as X-rays. The `X` is frequently used in math to show an indefinite measure.

Echoes From the Discovery

It is clear that various experts in their experiments unwittingly come upon X-rays. Most of them were unaware of their observation or found them significant to instigate further research on it. X-ray was a phenomenon waiting to be observed and studied. Crookes had complained to his photographic platters' supplier near blackened and fogged plates in unopened cases (Panchbhai 94). He noted various disturbing fogging of photographic plates with his experiment with cathode rays noticing the plates as inferior (Patton 44).

Goodspeed unintentional created x-rays through an encounter six years earlier involving various shadowy pictures. Goodspeed was demonstrating a Crookes tube to Jennings, a photographer. Jennings placed two coins on photographic plates near the experimental device (Patton 44). Goodspeed failed to account for curious fogging and disks and further unconsidered study. More so, Lenard saw an electroscope lose its charge past the cathode rays' range and deemed it insignificant to research more about it (Patton 44).

X-ray Development After the Discovery

In the beginning of 1896, X-rays becomes portion of medicinal researches clinically used for gunshot wounds and bone fractures in the United States (Panchbhai 92). Glasgow Royal Infirmary created an x-ray section in 1896, which developed several extraordinary x-rays. The x-rays produced in the facility include the first kidney stone x-ray, x-ray indicating a coin in a child's esophagi, and a picture of frog's limbs in motion (British Library). Furthermore, Dr. Hall-Edwards pioneered the use of an x-ray to make a finding where he identified a pin inside a lady's hand. Further technical developments in 1896 entailed the use of cineradiography and fluoroscopy.

Applications introduced during this period focused on the submission of x-ray images as evidence in medicolegal cases, inspecting postal parcels, detection of fraudulent paintings and documents, and quality control in the production of metal products (Frankel 499). Therapeutic x-ray use was initiated after the discovery of an x-ray. The first therapeutic reported case was the treatment of carcinoma of the breast in 1896 (Frankel 500). Further therapeutic use was on observation of the destructive influence of the x-rays on healthy tissues. The use of x-ray in 1896 got used to identifying various foreign bodies and skeletal abnormalities. Also, imaged got produced of tissues calcification, a fetus in utero, and multiple organs in the body. In February 1896, demonstration of vascular anatomy was conducted by injecting blood vessels after death with a mixture of petroleum, cinnabar, and lime.

Published studies of initial treatments using qualitative and quantitated doses focused on research from women clinic at Freiburg University. Rontgen's discovery offered the scientific foundation for diagnostic nuclear medicine. The development of diagnostic radiology also applied to tuberculosis by early detection of disease and the prior institution of patient isolation. The application of x-ray images in screening for tuberculosis helped in its control. X-ray images got widely implemented as in 1946, where about six million screening x-ray films were taken in the United States (Frankel 499). By 1950, the public health screening programs increased the number of screening to 15 million indicated the crucial role of radiography in tuberculosis control (Frankel 499). After Rontgen's discovery in the first 20 years, the x-rays helped in treating soldiers fighting in World War one and Boer war to identify embedded bullets and bone fractures (British Library).

Works Cited

British Library. "Roentgen's discovery of the x-ray." The British Library - The British Library, www.bl.uk/learning/cult/bodies/xray/roentgen.html.

Explorable. "Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen and the Discovery of X-Ray Beams." Explorable - Think Outside The Box - Research, Experiments, Psychology, Self-Help, explorable.com/wilhelm-conrad-roentgen.

Frankel, Richard I. "Centennial of Rontgen's Discovery of X-rays." Western Journal of Medicine, vol. 164, 1996, pp. 497-501.

Panchbhai, A. "Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen and the discovery of X-rays: Revisited after the centennial." Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology, vol. 27, no. 1, 2015, p. 90, doi:10.4103/0972-1363.167119.

Patton, Dennis D. "Rontgen and the Discovery." www.arrs.org/publications/HRS/diagnosis/RCI_D_c02.pdf.