What type of radiation is primarily used in X-ray imaging?

X-ray imaging primarily uses X-radiation, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays are produced when high-energy electrons collide with a metal target, typically tungsten, inside an X-ray tube. This process generates X-rays that can penetrate various materials, including human tissues, allowing for detailed imaging of internal structures such as bones and organs.

X-radiation possesses a specific wavelength and energy range that makes it suitable for imaging. It can pass through softer tissues, while denser materials like bones absorb more of the radiation, resulting in a contrast that creates a clear image on the film or digital detector.

In contrast, alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei and is not used in imaging due to its low penetration power; it can be stopped by a sheet of paper or even human skin. Beta radiation, which consists of electrons or positrons, is also not suitable for X-ray imaging as it is absorbed more readily by materials and does not provide the necessary contrast for diagnostic purposes. Gamma radiation, while similar to X-radiation in being a form of electromagnetic radiation, is usually associated with nuclear reactions and radioactive decay and is used in other types of imaging, such as PET scans, rather than conventional X-ray imaging. Therefore, X-radiation