Final answer:
A Crookes tube is an early apparatus used for studying cathode rays, while a Coolidge tube is a type of X-ray tube commonly used in medical imaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Crookes tube and the Coolidge tube are both types of gas discharge tubes used for different purposes in the field of physics.
A Crookes tube is an early experimental apparatus used for studying cathode rays. It was invented by Sir William Crookes in 1878. The tube consists of a glass cylinder with electrodes at each end. When a high voltage is applied, electrons are emitted from the cathode and accelerated towards the anode. These accelerated electrons create a beam of cathode rays that can be manipulated using magnetic fields. Crookes tubes played a crucial role in the discovery and understanding of electrons.
A Coolidge tube, on the other hand, is a type of X-ray tube commonly used in medical imaging. It was invented by William D. Coolidge in 1913. The tube operates by generating X-rays through the interaction of high-speed electrons and a target material. Unlike the Crookes tube, the Coolidge tube uses a heated filament to produce a thermionic emission of electrons, which are then accelerated towards the target. The X-rays produced by the Coolidge tube have a higher energy and are more suitable for medical imaging.