The problem with X-rays from TVs wasn't with B&W, but happened when
color TVs made the scene. An X-ray tube works by bombarding a metal
target with energetic electrons. Color TV tubes have a metal screen just
before the phosphor that acts as a mask to make sure the correct gun
sees only the corresponding colored phosphor dots. It is the electrons
hitting this metal mask that produces X-rays. These are soft X-rays,
with energies on the order of 10 keV. Meteors may well produce some
X-rays, but at meteor temperatures these would also be soft X-rays. Even
very hard X-rays, up as high as 1 MeV, don't have enough energy to
liberate neutrons (typically). For that you need several MeV, what would
be considered gamma rays.
Chris
*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter A Shugar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "LIST" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 7:03 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Question
Hello List,
I have a question.
Years ago when tv's were "young" one of the problems was that the
acceleration of electrons from the cathode to the plate " the screen"
was that when the electron collided with the screen, Xrays were
generated.
Granted that the level was not near as large as what would be
generated if
you got a chest Xray, or a mamogram, It was never made clear what
caused the Xrays. I do remember that the ultra high voltage was on the
order of 25 to 35KV.and if this was enough to cause Xrays, then the
energy needed to creat Xrays is not very large. The ionization trail
of the atmosphere as the meteorite plows through it will cause plenty
of electrons to help create the Xrays.
If the Xrays knock particles around that can cause the Nitrogen to
convert to C14 then maybe there may be more Xrays than what we
thought there was.
I would venture to say that this might also bear investigation.
Pete
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