X-ray fluorescence

Hi there, little one! Do you know what x-rays are? They are something that doctors use to take pictures of our bones so they can see if they are broken or not. X-ray fluorescence is a way to use x-rays to find out what different things are made of.

Imagine you have a banana and an apple. They look different on the outside, but they might look the same on the inside. X-ray fluorescence can help us find out what's inside the banana and the apple.

Here's how it works. X-rays are like little beams that can go through things like fruit or metal. When those x-rays hit the banana or the apple, they make the banana or the apple give off a little bit of energy. That energy can tell us what kind of stuff the banana or the apple is made of.

Scientists use x-ray fluorescence to find out what different things are made of. They might use it to find out what kind of metal a piece of jewelry is made of, or what kind of paint was used to make a picture. All of that information can help solve mysteries and teach us new things about the world around us.