Final answer:
The property that is not characteristic of X-rays is that they travel at the speed of sound; they actually travel at the speed of light. X-rays can cause cell damage, lead to cancer, and are used in medical imaging and treatment due to their ability to penetrate tissues and cause fluorescence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic property of X-Rays that is NOT true is that they travel at the speed of sound. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light and gamma rays. Their properties include:
- Traveling in straight lines.
- Traveling at the speed of light, not sound.
- Causing irritation to living cells due to their energy, which can lead to cancer and genetic defects.
- Making certain substances fluoresce, which is used in various analytical techniques in fields ranging from art to archaeology and medical imaging.
X-rays are used both in medical diagnostics and treatment, including cancer therapy, due to their ability to affect cell reproduction. They are more penetrating than ultraviolet radiation, affecting not just the surface layers of tissues but also the deeper ones, and they carry considerably more energy, which is why they are harmful in excessive amounts.