X-rays are waves of electromagnetic radiation with an extremely short wavelength (0.01 to 10 nanometers). They can be used in X-ray crystallography to infer the arrangement of atoms in a crystal because:
A)all X-rays bounce off the surface of the crystal.
B)they can be used on live cells without isolating the protein in question.
C)their wavelength allows them to determine the amino acid sequence of the protein.
D)some X-rays pass through the crystal and scatter in different directions.
E)all X-rays pass through the crystal without changing direction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

X-rays have a short wavelength, making them capable of passing through the crystal structure of a protein. When X-rays pass through a crystal, they scatter in many directions depending on how the atoms are arranged. By analyzing the diffraction pattern created by scattered X-rays, scientists can infer the positions of atoms within the crystal.

X-Rays Are Waves of Electromagnetic Radiation with an Extremely Short