How to Make X-Rays With Scotch Tape
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic energy, as is sunlight. Electromagnetic energy exists at different frequencies, and these frequencies correspond to different wavelengths. There is a range of frequencies that is visible, and these represent the visible spectrum. X-rays have a much shorter wavelength than visible light and have higher energy levels. These X-rays are used, for example, in medical diagnostic equipment to produce images of bones and teeth. Although there is some amount of radiation received by having a diagnostic X-ray performed, the benefits of the diagnostic test outweigh the risks. X-rays have been found to be produced by peeling Scotch tape.
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Instructions
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Place the Scotch tape in the tape dispenser. Peel the end of the tape from the roll and pull it over the tear bar. Pull down on the tape to tear off the end of the tape, readying the tape for the next pull.
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Place the tape and tape dispenser into a vacuum chamber and connect the chamber to the vacuum pump. Turn on the pump in order to create a vacuum in the chamber. The vacuum is needed for the tape to produce X-rays.
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Use the chamber access ports to grab the end of the tape.
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Pull the tape from the roll. As the tape is pulled, electrons jump from the top of the roll to the adhesive on the layer that has just been peeled up. When the electrons reach the adhesive, they slow, emitting bursts of energy in the form of X-rays. The X-ray energy lasts for about a billionth of a second, according to MSNBC. As with the bursts of energy directed at teeth in dental offices, the X-rays themselves are not visible, although they will show up on nearby photographic film, which is how medical diagnostic images are produced. These images are produced on the film because denser materials such as bones absorb more X-rays than surrounding muscle and flesh, casting a shadow image on the film.
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The X-rays will continue to be produced as long as the tape is being pulled. Once X-rays no longer are desired to be produced, turn off the vacuum pump and open up the vacuum chamber.
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Tips & Warnings
The vacuum chamber should have access ports so that the tape can be manipulated while it is inside the chamber. If no port is available, the end of the tape may be able to be positioned under the wall of the chamber so that it can be pulled from outside.
X-rays are a form of radiation and pose health risks.
Peeling Scotch tape in ordinary environmental conditions will not produce X-rays, possibly due to the normal amount of humidity present in air.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit a tape holder image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com
