How Do You Spell X-RAY DIFFRACTION?

Pronunciation: [ˈɛksɹˈe͡ɪ dɪfɹˈakʃən] (IPA)

The correct spelling of "x-ray diffraction" is /ɛks ˈreɪ dɪˈfrækʃən/. The "x" is pronounced as "eks" and the hyphen is used to separate the two elements of the word. "Ray" is pronounced as "reɪ" and "diffraction" as "dɪˈfrækʃən". "Diffraction" refers to the process in which waves (in this case, x-rays) spread out and bend when they encounter an obstacle. X-ray diffraction is a powerful tool used for the structural analysis of materials at atomic and molecular levels.

X-RAY DIFFRACTION Meaning and Definition

  1. X-ray diffraction refers to a scientific technique used to determine the arrangement and structure of atoms within a substance, particularly in crystalline materials. It involves analyzing the patterns produced when a beam of X-rays is directed at a sample, which causes the X-rays to interact with the atoms in the material.

    Through the process of X-ray diffraction, the X-rays are scattered by the atoms in the sample, resulting in an interference pattern characterized by a series of bright spots on a detector or photographic film. These spots correspond to the diffraction of X-rays at specific angles, known as Bragg angles, due to the atomic arrangement of the material.

    By carefully analyzing the pattern of these spots, scientists can deduce crucial information about the crystal structure and properties of the material being examined. This includes details such as the spacing between the atoms, the bond lengths and angles, as well as the overall symmetry of the crystal lattice.

    X-ray diffraction has applications in various scientific disciplines, including materials science, chemistry, physics, and geology. It is a fundamental tool for studying the structure and properties of crystals, minerals, polymers, and biological macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. The technique has revolutionized our understanding of the atomic and molecular world, enabling advancements in fields ranging from drug discovery to materials engineering.

Common Misspellings for X-RAY DIFFRACTION

  • x0ray diffraction
  • xpray diffraction
  • xray diffraction
  • xmray diffraction

Etymology of X-RAY DIFFRACTION

The word "x-ray" in the term "x-ray diffraction" refers to the type of electromagnetic radiation used in the diffraction technique. X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895 and were named "x" to denote their unknown nature at the time. The term "diffraction" in "x-ray diffraction" refers to the bending or spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle or pass through an aperture. It comes from the Latin word "diffractio", which means "breaking into pieces" or "bending". Therefore, the etymology of "x-ray diffraction" combines the name of the electromagnetic radiation used in the technique with the word for the phenomenon it explores.

Plural form of X-RAY DIFFRACTION is X-RAY DIFFRACTIONS

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