How does x-rays work?

We assume that you have heard of an x-ray source before. But what do you know about the machine? Read the article and increase your x-ray knowledge.

What do we use x-ray for?

X-rays are a type of radiation, where electromagnetic waves are used to penetrate a given object without touching it.

You properly associate the use of x-rays with the inside of a hospital. In the hospital, x-rays machines are used to create pictures of the inside of a body. It is based on the given image doctors trace forms of cancer or detect a broken bone.

Why does it work?

Different tissues inside your body absorb different amounts of radiation. Remember, we have already detected, that x-ray is a form of radiation.

The radiation allows us to get a picture from inside a human body. The image will show different shades of color, due to the different amount of radiation the different parts of the body absorbs.

As you maybe remember from previously seeing x-rays images, bones appear as white on the picture. You might think this is because bones are white. But this is not the reason. The real reason for the bones to appear as white, is because they absorb the most radiation. They do this, because they contain a high amount of calcium.

Fat and other soft tissues will absorb less radiation, and therefore appear less white than the bones. Air absorbs the least radiation; therefore, lungs will appear as black on the created image.

Is it dangerous?

You might have heard about the dangers of radiation. But x-rays produce a very small amount of radiation, when examining you.

In some cases, you will receive an apron to wear, while you receive the radiation. This is used for protecting certain parts of your body. If you get a chest x-ray, the dose of radiation you will receive is the same as the amount of radiation you’ll receive from the environment in just ten days.

X-rays sources have proven to be extremely helpful when examining the human body. It provides us with information which, without the technology, we would have no change to gather.