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Radiologic technology is widely used in many different areas of human activity. It is one of the main tools of the diagnostic in medicine. This particular type of technology is used in the explorations of the crystal structure of the substance, to accelerate the reactions in radiochemistry and many other fields of science. All the presented features of the radiology are possible due to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a prominent German scholar. Therefore, this paper will describe and discuss the life and the outstanding contribution of this renowned scientist.
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was born on March 27, 1845, in Lennep, Germany . The first education Wilhelm received at a private boarding school called the Institute of Martinus von Dorn. Thereafter, he entered the Federal Polytechnic Institute in Zurich and became a student of mechanical engineering department . In 1869, Roentgen graduated from the institute with a Ph.D. . In the period from 1871 to 1873, Wilhelm Roentgen worked at the University of Wurzburg, and then together with his professor August Adolph Kundt moved to the University of Strasbourg, where he worked for five years. Initially, he served as a lecturer (until 1876) and then as a professor . In 1900 Roentgen became the head of the department of physics at the University of Munich, which became the last place of work for him. Later, on reaching the age limit stipulated by the rules, he passed the chair, but still continued to work till the end of his life. He died on February 10, 1923, from cancer and was buried in Giessen, where his grave is still to be found . His life was full of studies and experiments shedding light on the mysteries of the physical world.
William Roentgen undoubtedly made a significant contribution to the development of the radiologic technology. He was the first one who discovered the X-rays, which are the basis of the radiological science. The discovery of X-rays was made when he was 50 years old. He turned on the cathode tube, closed on all sides by a dense black cardboard. The paper screen, lying near it and covered with a layer of crystals of barium, began to glow with green color. When the scientist turned off the power, the glowing of the crystals stopped. When Roentgen gave the voltage to the cathode tube again, the glowing in the crystals, which were not associated with the device, resumed. The experiments of Roentgen showed that X-rays are produced at the site of the collision with the barrier inside the cathode ray tube. The tube had the special design with anticathode being flat and providing an intense flow of X-rays. Through this tube (which will later be called Roentgen's tube), he studied and described the basic properties of the previously unknown radiation, which became known as the X-rays.
The discovery of the German scientist greatly influenced the development of the contemporary science. The experiments and studies of X-rays helped and still do to get new information about the structure of matter, which together with other discoveries of that time forced to reconsider the statements of classical physics. The studies related to X-rays soon led to the discovery of radioactivity by Becquerel and Curie. Within a short time after the invention, the X-ray tubes had a widespread application in various fields of medicine and engineering.
During his life, Roentgen published seven major publications and sixty scientific articles. Every word in these works was proved mathematically and experimentally. In 1901, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics and again became the first scholar to get such award in this science (Beier 97). In 1964, the International Astronomical Union appropriated the name of Wilhelm Roentgen to the crater on the back side of the moon. Hence, the name of the discoverer remained well-known in the area of radiologic technology.
To conclude, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen is famous all over the globe as the discoverer of the X-rays. His life was filled with studies and experiments and his works are still considered as the basis for the exploration of the radiation by the academic world. Moreover, the results of his discovery and research changed the theories of physics and allowed the development of the technology, which is used in many areas of science and medicine today. Roentgen became the Nobel Prize laureate in Physics for his discovery and many famous places and locations are dedicated to his name and achievement.
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Rico Shenk has been the lead blog writer at nursing paper writing service since 2018. His passion for helping people in all aspects of online marketing flows through in the expert industry coverage he provides. In addition to blog writing, Rico is interested in technical writing and copywriting services.