X-rays from scotch tape {was: Re: [Rockhounds] flashing cleavages}

[Axel Emmermann]

Yes, I wondered about that too.
My guess that the X-rays are simply crashing into the substance of the tape
(from the peeled tape to the roll) and the resulting X-rays are just like
bremstrahlung caused by the rapid deceleration of charged particles. In air
the electrons would follow a more or less straight path between the "poles"
of the potential well by ionizing the air into a conducting channel. In
vacuum they cannot do that and the electron have to follow the
electro-magnetic field lines. The electrons are thus following paths of
different lengths making their acceleration in the field a variable. The
spectrum of the resulting X-rays would as a result be something like a
Gaussian bell curve, I assume. Pure speculation; of course ;-)))

The greatest part of the broad spectrum of X-rays would be absorbed by the
Plexiglas of the vacuum chamber. Only the longest waves get through. My
estimate is those of about 1 to 10 nm.

Secundary X-rays require elements heavier than nitrogen, due to the
extremely low yield of XRF by light atoms (they would immediately aborb the
photons they emit. The tape and Plexiglas are made up of light elements
(C,H,O...) although the glue and anti-oxidants may contain some phosphorus.

Chers


Axel Emmermann
European Regional Vice President of the
Fluorescent Mineral Society
<http://www.uvminerals.org/>
=========================
Mineralogische Kring Antwerpen/Antwerp Mineralogical Society
<http://www.minerant.org/index.html>
Werkgroepleider/Workgroup leader: Fluorescerende mineralen/Fluorescent
minerals
Technische Realisaties/Engineering
My website:<http://users.pandora.be/axel.emmerman/home/>


> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com
[mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com]
> Namens J Bryan Kramer
> Verzonden: woensdag 10 december 2008 21:56
> Aan: Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors
> Onderwerp: Re: X-rays from scotch tape {was: Re: [Rockhounds] flashing
cleavages}
> 
> but they showed an X-ray film (looked like a dental film) of someones'
thumb
> so the radiation did penetrate his thumb, a couple of centimeters anyway.
> But not the bone. Unless that is done by secondary x-rays.
> 
> BK
> 
> The "hospital" variety X-ray that is used in radiology has a rather long
> > wavelength and travels through your body and air and walls.... This
0.083
> > nm
> > radiation is so energetic that it immediately ionizes anything that it
> > passes. It will travel a few dozen micrometers through air but then its
> > gets
> > stopped. I work with a rhodium-target X-ray tube of 60 KeV daily and I
> > don't
> > even have to wear a radiation dosimeter.
> >
> 
> 
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