Question: what is x-ray

Jacquie Oliwa answered on 4 Jul 2017:

Hi there..
X-radiation (composed of X-rays) is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Most X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 0.01 to 10 nanometers, shorter than those of UV rays and typically longer than those of gamma rays. They are commonly used in medical imaging to identify bony or solid structures to help in making a diagnosis e.g for broken bones or cavities in teeth and sometimes in treatment of cancer (ionising radiation used for radiotherapy for cancers like of the cervix or prostrate).

X-ray photons carry enough energy to ionize atoms and disrupt molecular bonds. This makes it a type of ionizing radiation, and can therefore be harmful to living tissue. A very high radiation dose over a short period of time causes radiation sickness, while lower doses can give an increased risk of radiation-induced cancer. In medical imaging this increased cancer risk is generally greatly outweighed by the benefits of the examination.

I hope that answers your question?
Best wishes,
Jacquie