Who discovered X-rays?

The discovery of X-rays is attributed to Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, in 1895. Roentgen was conducting experiments with cathode rays when he observed a new type of radiation that could penetrate opaque materials, which he initially referred to as "X-rays" due to their unknown nature. This groundbreaking discovery opened up an entirely new field in medical imaging and diagnostics, allowing for non-invasive examination of the human body. Roentgen's work earned him the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901, highlighting the significance of his contribution to science and medicine.

In contrast, the other individuals listed played important roles in their respective fields, but they were not responsible for the discovery of X-rays. Crookes dealt with cathode rays, Curie focused on radioactivity, and Becquerel discovered radioactivity in uranium, but none of them discovered X-rays as Roentgen did.