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X-ray Characteristics

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• What happens when x-rays are absorbed in lead?

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What happens when x-rays are absorbed in lead?

Question

January 8, 2009

What happens to the xray energy once it is absorbed by the lead? Can a lead shield such as an apron eventually become saturated with the xray energy and absorb no more or does the energy leak out somehow? There's a puzzle here I'm having trouble figuring out.

A - USA

17074

Answer

Three things can happen when x-rays are absorbed in lead.

X-rays are readily absorbed by the inner, lowest-energy electrons of an atom. These electrons release a lower energy form of radiation, such as ultraviolet. That radiation in turn can be absorbed, generating heat.

Another thing that can happen is that the x-rays knock loose electrons in the lead, giving the material a slight electrical charge.

Also, the radiation can cause the lead atoms to increase their motion, thus heating up the lead shield.

All of the energy from x-rays is spent on heating or ionizing the lead. None is left or can be "stored" in the lead.

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