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(excerpted from Howstuffworks.com) X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation. When normal light hits an atom, it can't change the atom in any significant way. But when an X-ray hits an atom, it can knock electrons off the atom to create an ion, an electrically-charged atom. Free electrons then collide with other atoms to create more ions. An ion's electrical charge can lead to unnatural chemical reactions inside cells. Among other things, the charge can break DNA chains. A cell with a broken strand of DNA will either die or the DNA will develop a mutation. If a lot of cells die, the body can develop various diseases. If the DNA mutates, a cell may become cancerous, and this cancer may spread. If the mutation is in a sperm or an egg cell, it may lead to birth defects. Because of all these risks, doctors use X-rays sparingly today. They are helpful in that x-radiation helps diagnose and treat illnesses in humans, pets and other animals. It is also an important part of scientific research, agriculture and countless industrial uses, such as the inspection of welds in construction, car manufacturing and aircraft maintenance.

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Anya Kub

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2y ago
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Dawson Beatty

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1y ago

sometimes

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14y ago

(excerpted from Howstuffworks.com) X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation. When normal light hits an atom, it can't change the atom in any significant way. But when an X-ray hits an atom, it can knock electrons off the atom to create an ion, an electrically-charged atom. Free electrons then collide with other atoms to create more ions. An ion's electrical charge can lead to unnatural chemical reactions inside cells. Among other things, the charge can break DNA chains. A cell with a broken strand of DNA will either die or the DNA will develop a mutation. If a lot of cells die, the body can develop various diseases. If the DNA mutates, a cell may become cancerous, and this cancer may spread. If the mutation is in a sperm or an egg cell, it may lead to birth defects. Because of all these risks, doctors use X-rays sparingly today. They are helpful in that x-radiation helps diagnose and treat illnesses in humans, pets and other animals. It is also an important part of scientific research, agriculture and countless industrial uses, such as the inspection of welds in construction, car manufacturing and aircraft maintenance.

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15y ago

x rays can hurt but cant kill you. so if there searching for a life threatning object in your body it matters. so they are helpful but they sometimes injure people.

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13y ago

o x ray do not harm us as they do not affect our body cells and its structure it has only penetrating feature and not harmful one .only gamma rays effect our body

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Q: How are x rays harmful?
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How x rays and g rays are same?

they are not the same but both are waves and both can be harmful to humans if received in high quantities. Though gamma rays are more harmful than x-rays.


Is water irradiated with X-rays harmful for us?

yes it is harmful


Why are gamma rays and X-rays harmful to students?

Gamma rays and X-rays are very high energy, highly penetrating forms of radiation. This is harmful to humans as these forms of radiation can cause DNA damage.


What type of electromagnetic wave is considered harmful to humans?

These are ultraviolet rays, x-rays and gamma rays.


How is ultraviolet light X-rays and gamma rays harmful to a person?

If im right X-rays can move you molicuse aroud and can kill you.


What kills harmful bacteria in food gamma rays or x-rays?

Gamma ray


What are the harmful effects of Soft X-ray?

Because soft x-rays are not as penetrative as hard x-rays they are considered more dangerous as not all the radiation passes straight through the body. Radiation is considered harmful to newly dividing cells. Examples of soft x-rays are dental x-rays and mammograms.


Would you die without x-rays and gamma rays from space?

No; you don't need such rays. In fact, they can be quite harmful.


What are three examples of high energy waves that are harmful to living things?

uv rays,gamma rays and x rays


Why are cosmic rays harmful to living organisms?

Because the cosmic rays consist of charged particles like gamma rays and x-rays


Are multiple chest x-rays harmful to a 5 year old?

no


What kind of waves are harmful to living things?

All high frequency radiation e.g. X rays , gamma rays etc. are harmful to living things .