Sparks created in a lab give off X-rays, scientists announced Monday.
X-rays are a byproduct (副产物) of high-energy electron discharges in the Sun, in exploding stars, and even in lightning. Many scientists did not expect sparks alone to do the trick.
Researchers at Florida Institute of Technology brought their equipment, which had detected X-rays in lightning, into the lab. Half the team expected to see X-rays and the other half did not.
In sparks of 1.5 million to 2 million volts, the researchers indeed recorded X-rays that were remarkably similar to those produced by lightning.
"This amazed us, It opens the door to answering really big questions about lightning by generating it in the lab," said team member Hamid Rassoul. "It also tells us that we have a lot’ to learn about how even small sparks work."
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, on a spectrum (频谱) that runs from radio waves on the low
A. the research helps to answer really big questions about lightning
B. runaway breakdown is a mechanism that may play a role in gamma-ray flashes
C. the next research might be on "runaway breakdown"
D. the researchers have a lot to learn about how even small sparks work
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