Jan 21, 2010: DIY X-Rays

What? Yeah, do-it-yourself x-rays, that's the right wing's answer to saving money on health care.
Just kidding, even they wouldn't go that far... would they?

Anyway, all you need is x-ray film and Scotch tape.

If you have ever (for whatever reason – that’s none of our business) locked yourself in a dark closet and peeled Scotch tape from its holder, you may have noticed a tiny bit of light. The tape actually emits a faint luminescence when it’s being separated. It’s due to a phenomenon known as triboluminescence, which has been documented as far back as the 17th century. In the 1950s, Soviet researchers claimed that unrolling sticky tape resulted also in the release of X-rays, but no one really bothered to follow up on that study until now. A group of researchers at UCLA decided to test the X-ray claims recently. Using a machine to unroll the tape at 3 centimeters/second in a vacuum, they measured the electromagnetic output. The short bursts of X-rays lasted for about a billionth of a second each and output 300,000 X-ray photons. The researchers were even able to prove the presence of the X-rays by producing pictures of their finger bones.

Oh damn, you need a vacuum too. :(

Speaking of vacuums.... if the sucking stops, get rid of the old bag.

link

xoxoxoBruce;628663 wrote:

if the sucking stops, get rid of the old bag.

:lol2::lol2:

If Microsoft ever made vacuum cleaners, it would be the only thing they make that doesn't suck.

Scotch tape produces X-rays? So if I'm holding the tape dispenser in my lap as I use it, am I mutating my genetic code for my offspring? Do I have to worry about cancer now when I wrap presents? Is 300,000 x-ray photons per billionth of a second a lot? WTF? I need some perspective here. Thanks.

Oh, wait. Never mind. I just saw the bit about the vacuum.

glatt;628739 wrote:

Scotch tape produces X-rays? So if I'm holding the tape dispenser in my lap as I use it, am I mutating my genetic code for my offspring? Do I have to worry about cancer now when I wrap presents? Is 300,000 x-ray photons per billionth of a second a lot? WTF? I need some perspective here. Thanks.

OMFG IT'S HORRIBLE. YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE??? I HEARD THAT OUR BODIES ARE CONSTANTLY BEING PENETRATED BY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY. I'M GETTING TIRED OF ALL THIS TECHNOCRAP. WE NEED TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT BAN ALL THESE ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM.

(Sorry.)

It's enough to make you want to end it all and pour yourself a glass of dihydrogen oxide.

Ah. It is nice to see the old bag back. Haven't seen her since IOTD 18760 in 2008.

glatt;628751 wrote:

It's enough to make you want to end it all and pour yourself a glass of dihydrogen oxide.

Little Johnny was a chemist
Now he is no more
For what he thought was H2O
Was H2SO4

A little while ago, I turned out all the lights upstairs and went into my closet with my son and a roll of scotch tape. We sang the ABC song twice to give our eyes time to adjust and then I started yanking tape off the roll. I'll be damned if it didn't start glowing! Amazing. My boy was impressed. Thanks, Cellar.

You have no remorse for subjecting your son to those x-rays?
Oh wait, no vacuum... nevermind. ;)

But wait! Was the vacuum stored in there?

glatt;628992 wrote:

A little while ago, I turned out all the lights upstairs and went into my closet with my son and a roll of scotch tape. ....

Am I the only one worried?

I knew I could count on you. I was surprised everyone else left it alone. :p

I'm slipping.

Gravdigr;630326 wrote:

I'm slipping.

We know. But who are you slipping it to?

Yabbut yaw dawg whuddabout

Wintergreen lifesavers in da closet?

yew know what I'm talkinabowt.

crunch, crunch.

Say no more. Say no more.

squirell nutkin;630372 wrote:

Yabbut yaw dawg whuddabout

Wintergreen lifesavers in da closet?

yew know what I'm talkinabowt.

If they don't make x-rays in a vacuum, they don't count. :p