• Question: How far can the X-Rays examine the water?(depth)

    Asked by to Veronica, Ben on 17 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Ben Butler

      Ben Butler answered on 17 Jun 2014:

      When I use X-rays to look at frozen seawater, the amount of sample needed is actually really small! We fill up a tiny tube (called a capillary) that is just 0.5 mm wide and then freeze it.

      The small sample keeps the X-rays nice and strong so that the data we collect is really clear. If the X-rays had to pass through too much water then they would lose their strength and would mean the data wouldn’t be very good. This is called attenuation.

    • Photo: Veronica Celorrio

      Veronica Celorrio answered on 17 Jun 2014:

      Mmmmm, I don’t really use X-rays in water…so better trust Ben in this one!

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