Peeling Sticky Tape Produces X-Rays 
 
   
 

 
   
   
Have you peeled tape in the dark lately? UCLA researchers found that unwinding sticky tape can actually emit X-rays. No need to panic, This occurs only when carried out in a vacuum.

This phenomenon is known as Triboluminescence, an optical phenomenon in which light is generated through the breaking of chemical bonds in a material when it is pulled apart, ripped, scratched, crushed, or rubbed.

 The phenomenon is not fully understood, but appears to be caused by the separation and reunification of electrical charges. Triboluminescence can be observed when breaking sugar crystals and peeling adhesive tapes.

When the researchers experimented, they found that peeling sticky tape released enough X-rays to take an image of one of the scientists’ fingers using a dental X-ray detector. 

 
 

        

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