What is primary radiation?

Primary radiation refers to the initial beam of X-rays that is produced by the X-ray tube and exits towards the patient or object being examined. This radiation is important because it carries the image-forming information needed for diagnostic purposes. When the X-ray beam leaves the tube, it is known as primary radiation, and it has not yet interacted with any matter.

Understanding primary radiation is crucial in medical imaging and radiology, as it directly impacts image quality and patient exposure to radiation. The X-ray beam is generated when electrons collide with a target material in the tube, and without this primary radiation, imaging procedures could not be performed.

Other types of radiation mentioned in the choices, such as secondary radiation that reflects off the patient and radiation resulting from decay processes, serve different roles and are not considered primary radiation.