X-ray vs other rays

With the development of society and science and technology, people have found one after another light, which has been applied in daily life and work. For example, X-ray screening can be used to detect some harmful substances. So, do you know anything about existing radiation, such as X-rays, alpha-rays, beta-rays, etc? Do you know the difference between them? Here we give a brief introduction, hoping to help you better understand radiation and its applications, such as X-ray screening.

The main points are as follows：

♦ What is X-ray

♦ Other rays

♦ Comparison between rays

♦ Conclusion

What is X-ray

X-ray is a flow of particles generated by electron transitions in atoms between two levels, with many different energies. They are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between ultraviolet and gamma rays. X-ray wavelength is very short, between about 0.01 and 100A. X-ray was established in 1895. X-ray has high penetration and can make many materials opaque to visible light, such as ink paper, wood, etc. This invisible light can cause visible fluorescence of many solid materials, making photographic films and air ionization sensitive. X-ray was originally used in medical imaging diagnosis and X-ray crystallography. But X-rays are also harmful radiation, such as free radiation.

Other rays

In addition to the X-ray screening technology that is currently discovered and utilized, there are also rays such as α-rays, β-rays, and γ-rays that can perform related work.

(1) α-ray

α-rays, also known as "A rays", are alpha particle streams emitted by radioactive materials. It can be released from various radioactive substances, such as radium. The kinetic energy of alpha particles can reach several megavolts. Because the mass of alpha particles is much larger than that of electrons, it is easy to ionize atoms in matter and lose energy. Therefore, its ability to penetrate substances is much weaker than that of beta rays, and it is easily blocked by thin layers of substances, but it has strong ionization effect.

(2) β-ray

β-rays are negatively charged particles emitted by radioactive isotopes decay. It has short range and weak air penetration. But ionization in organisms is stronger than gamma and X-rays. Usually, there is no left-right division of radiation, but beta rays are left-right division.

(3) γ-ray

γ-ray is a kind of high energy electromagnetic wave. Its wavelength is very short, but its penetration is very strong, its range is very long, but its dose is uniform and dangerous. γ-ray is one of the radiations emitted during atomic decay and decomposition. Because of its short wavelength, strong penetration and high energy, this electromagnetic wave can easily lead to cell DNA decomposition, leading to cell mutation, loss of hematopoietic function, cancer and other diseases. But because it can kill cells, it has good application value in the medical field. γ-rays are the third nuclear rays found after alpha and beta rays.

Comparison between rays

(1) X-ray and γ-ray

These are the two most common types of radiation in X-ray detection. X-ray is produced by the impact of an artificial high-speed electron stream on a metal target.

Gamma rays are produced spontaneously by radioactive materials (such as cobalt, uranium, radium, etc.). They produce different mechanisms, but they are all electromagnetic waves.

(2) α and β-ray

Radioisotopes produce α and β-rays. They radiate α and β-rays. The penetration ability of alpha rays is very weak, but they have strong ionization. Although the penetration of beta rays is very strong, the energy is very small.

Usually, alpha rays and rays are not directly used for detection. They are suitable for special occasions.

Unlike X-rays and Y-rays, A-rays and Y-rays are not electromagnetic waves, but particle radiation.

(3) Neutron radiation

Neutron is an electrically neutral particle flow, not an electromagnetic wave. It has tremendous speed and penetration capacity.

Neutrons are very different from X-rays and gamma rays. Neutron attenuation in penetrating materials mainly depends on the ability of materials to capture neutrons.

For lead, the penetration energies of X and gamma rays are greatly reduced, but the ability to capture neutrons is very small. For hydrogen, the opposite is true.

Conclusion

This is a brief introduction to some existing rays. Do you have a better understanding of radiation? We also introduce X-ray screening and other techniques. If you want to know more about X-ray screening, please consult us. We will give you the most satisfactory answer.