Radiology Practice Test

Who discovered x-rays?

1. Marie Curie

2. Thomas Edison

3. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

4. Nikola Tesla

The correct answer is: Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

The discovery of x-rays is attributed to Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, who made this significant finding in 1895. During his experiments with cathode rays, he noticed that a fluorescent screen in his lab started to glow even when it was not in the direct path of the rays, leading him to deduce that a new type of ray was being emitted. He called these rays "x-rays," with "x" denoting an unknown quantity. This groundbreaking discovery had a profound impact on medical imaging and diagnostics, revolutionizing the field of medicine. Marie Curie's contributions were primarily in the field of radioactivity; she is not associated with the discovery of x-rays. Thomas Edison did advance the use of x-ray technology, particularly by developing an improved x-ray tube, but he did not discover x-rays themselves. Nikola Tesla made numerous contributions to electromagnetism and wireless technology, but he was not involved in the discovery of x-rays. Thus, the correct answer is unequivocally Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen.