Can Scotch Tape Really Produce X-Rays?

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    Rays X rays
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edward
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In the current issue of the journal Nature, Dr. Putterman and his colleagues report that surprisingly fierce flows of electrons were unleashed as the tape was unpeeled and its gooey adhesive snapped free of the surface. The electrical currents, in turn, generated strong, short bursts of X-rays — each burst, about a billionth of a second long, contained about 300,000 X-ray photons.

“Some kind of microscopic lightning effect,” Dr. Putterman said.

The scientists even demonstrated that the X-rays were bright enough to take an X-ray of a finger.

That does not mean that tape dispensers on office desks are mini X-ray machines. So far, the phenomenon has been observed only when the tape is unpeeled in a vacuum. Something about air — perhaps moisture — short-circuits the X-rays.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/science/28xray.html?ref=science

I don't know why but I found this to be amusing. It sounds like something from the Onion, or our own Turnip...hey whatever happened to the Turnip thread.
 
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Would a duck tape emit xrays too?
 
edward said:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/science/28xray.html?ref=science

I don't know why but I found this to be amusing. It sounds like something from the Onion, or our own Turnip...hey whatever happened to the Turnip thread.

So now I need to wear a radiation badge to monitor my exposure when I wrap Christmas presents this year?

Maybe it will be safer to make it an Elmer's Holiday.
 
what said:
Would a duck tape emit xrays too?

Duct tape certainly emits light. That and masking tape both can be seen in the dark.

I'm not so sure that duct tape will be that useful for unleashing nuclear fusion reactions though.

But I wonder if the the CIA needs to be alerted to any possible stockpiling of adhesive products by Iran?
 
A bank robber goes in a bank and holds a tape dispenser over his head
and yells "OK. Give me the money. This is a stick up."?
 
LowlyPion said:
A bank robber goes in a bank and holds a tape dispenser over his head
and yells "OK. Give me the money. This is a stick up."?
<groan>
 
Ahahahah@ this whole thread.
 
Is it just me, or has this been known for a long time that ripping tape off something can generate light?

I guess this must have been the first time it was rigorously studied.
 
Redbelly98 said:
Light is one thing, but x-rays are the real surprise here.
AAARRRGGHHHH! What happened to you? :eek:
 
Redbelly98 said:
It's just a costume! Don't worry.

Ha ha ha, did I scare you or what? :biggrin:
:smile: Whew, for a moment I was afraid something dreadful had happened. :eek:
 
Mk said:
Is it just me, or has this been known for a long time that ripping tape off something can generate light?

I guess this must have been the first time it was rigorously studied.

From the article, it appears the Russians beat us to it.

Russian scientists reported as far back as 1953 that they had detected X-rays from tape. “But as far as I can tell, no one ever believed them,” Dr. Putterman said. “It was a big surprise to discover this deep dark corner of past research.”
 
Wow, some people have way too much time on their hands to waste. How much money was wasted on this too?
 
Evo said:
What about the sparks I see at night when I touch my hand on my blanket?

Maybe put some fresh x-ray film under your mattress and see what develops?
 
LowlyPion said:
Maybe put some fresh x-ray film under your mattress and see what develops?
Well, that would be a major disappointment.
 
The X rays in the tape were produced in vacuum. Under normal room conditions there will be no X rays.
 
LowlyPion said:
A bank robber goes in a bank and holds a tape dispenser over his head
and yells "OK. Give me the money. This is a stick up."?

:smile: snort*
I'm easily amused.