Wilhelm Rontgen

The German physicist, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen who was born March 27, 1845, was the first person to systematically produce and detect electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range today known as x-rays or Rontgen rays. His discovery of x-rays was a great revolution in the fields of physics and medicine that electrified the general public. It also earned him the Rumford Medal of the Royal Society of London in 1896 and the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. He is also known for his discoveries in mechanics, heat. Destroyed upon his death, Rontgen died on February 10, 1923 from carcinoma of the intestine. It is not believed his carcinoma was a result of his work with ionizing radiation because of the brief time he spent on those investigations, and because he was one of the few pioneers in the field who used protective lead shields routinely.

Accomplishments

Rontgen accomplished the first X-ray.Rontgen is also known for his discoveries in mechanics, heat, and electricity.Rontgen's discovery of x-rays was a great revolution in the fields of physics and medicine that electrified the general public.Rontgen also earned The Rumford Medal of the Royal Society of London in 1896 and the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

Impact in society

The discovery of x-rays was a great revolution in the fields of physics and medicine that electrified the general public.

Citations

Sources I used to get information on Wilhelm Rontgen and the first X-ray. - google search- Encyclopedia-Science and Its Times-The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine-Encyclopedia of World Biography

Wilhelm Rontgen

Biography

Timeline

1845- Wilhelm Rontgen was born on March 27, in Germany. 1895- On November 8, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen accidentally discovered the first X-rays . 1865 - rontgen went to the Universty of Utrecht to study physics.1869 - He earnd a Ph.D. in mechanical enginering from the Universty of Zurich. 1896 - He earnd the Rumford Medal of the Royal Society of London.1901 - He earnd a Nobel Prize in physics.1923-He died on February 10, from carcinoma of the intestine.

Video of bones under an X-ray