What specific phenomenon did Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen observe in his laboratory in late 1895 while experimenting with cathode rays?
Answer
An unusual glow on a fluorescent screen
In late 1895, during experiments with cathode rays, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen noticed that a fluorescent screen in his laboratory began to emit light. This accidental observation revealed the existence of a new form of energy that could pass through opaque materials. This finding marked the discovery of X-rays, which initiated a global medical race to utilize these rays for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, fundamentally changing how medical professionals could visualize the interior of the human body.
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