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The X-Rays are produced in a Coolidge tube by making a fast moving electron beam to strike on a metal target having high atomic weight like Tungsten kept in vacuum.The penetrating power of X-rays depends upon the hardness of the metal used as a target and intensity of X-rays depends upon the velocity of the electron beam with which it strikes the target.
Properties:
1. They are electromagnetic radiations of very small wavelength of the order of 10-8cm and are photons of high energy.
2. They travel with the velocity of light i.e. 3 X 108m/s.
3. They affect photographic plates.
4. They are not deflected by magnetic or electric fields and therefore they do not possess any charge.
5. Similar to x-rays due to their energy, liberate photoelectrons from some metals, when allowed to fall on them.
6. They ionise gas through which they pass.
7. They produce fluorescence on Barium-Platinocyanide, Zinc sulphide and Cadmium tungstate.
8. They show interference, diffraction and polarisation, similar to light radiations.