How do x-rays and gamma rays compare to other electromagnetic waves, in terms of wavelength and frequency?

X-rays and gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies of all the electromagnetic waves.

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Do x-rays or gamma waves have higher frequency?

Gamma waves have higher frequency.

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What are x-ray machines at the hospital used for?

X-rays are used to view the internal structures of our bodies, to help diagnose illness.

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Outline how x-ray machines at the hospital work.

  1. X-rays are fired at the patient.
  2. X-rays are absorbed by materials which are very dense, like bones.
  3. X-rays are transmitted through materials which are not very dense, like lungs and intestines.
  4. The X-rays that pass through are detected by a detector plate, forming an X-ray image.

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What precautions do hospital staff take against the harmful effects of x-rays?

They leave the room when the x-rays are taken.


They wear lead vests which stop the x-rays.

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Give 3 uses of gamma rays in hospitals.

  1. To sterilise equipment
  2. In medical imaging (e.g. radioactive tracers).
  3. To treat cancer.

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