What type of radiation is created when x-rays interact with matter?

When x-rays interact with matter, they can produce secondary radiation. This occurs when x-ray photons collide with atoms in the material, causing the atoms to become excited and subsequently emit their own radiation as they return to their ground state. This additional radiation is what we refer to as secondary radiation.

Secondary radiation is significant in various fields, especially in medical imaging and radiation safety, as it can contribute to the overall radiation exposure of patients and healthcare workers. Understanding the production of secondary radiation is crucial for implementing proper safety measures and protocols to protect against unwanted exposure.

In contrast, primary radiation refers to the original beam of x-rays that is emitted from the x-ray source before interacting with any matter. Scattered radiation is a type of radiation that results from primary radiation interacting with matter and being deflected in different directions, but it is distinct from secondary radiation due to its origin. Bremsstrahlung radiation specifically refers to the radiation emitted when charged particles, like electrons, are decelerated in the vicinity of atomic nuclei, which is a different process than the general interaction of x-rays with matter.