How do x rays work? – Helium Zone

Question: How do x rays work?

Asked by jessyp623 to Emily on 16 Mar 2010 in Categories: Test methods.
- Emily Cook answered on 16 Mar 2010:
  
  X-rays are created when electrons moving at high speeds crash into metal targets.
  
  X-rays are used in ‘radiography’ which is taking pictures of the inside of the body, and in security screening.
  
  These work as x-rays are absorbed differently by differnt things. Objects that are very dense and have high atoic numbers absorb a lot of x-rays. Less dense materials and those with lower atomic numbers absorb fewer x-rays.
  
  So if you fire a load of x-rays at you foot to take a picture, the bone (dense and has calcium in it) will absorb lots of x-rays whike the fat and muscle (less dense, made of elements like carbon, hydrogen and oxygen ) absorb less. Where lots of x-rays get through the film is blacked, where only a few get through it stays white – so bones look white ona x-ray image and a break would be a darker line or shadow.

jessyp623 commented on 16 Mar 2010:

Thank you i’ve never really understood how they work and I thought it might be a good idea to understand how they work. Also your answer is very clear and easy to understand. Thank you very much
- jessyp623 commented on 23 Mar 2010:
  
  Also I would like to thank you because since you answered, in a physics lesson we were asked how x rays work and I was able to answer ! Thanks Very much
  - Emily commented on 24 Mar 2010:
    
    Glad I could help!

Question: How do x rays work?