ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

What is considered the main purpose of the target in an X-ray tube?

1. Encapsulation of Filament

2. Conversion of Electron Energy into X-rays

3. Control of Amperage Flow

4. Reduction of Radiation Leakage

The correct answer is: Conversion of Electron Energy into X-rays

The main purpose of the target in an X-ray tube is the conversion of electron energy into X-rays. In the X-ray tube, when electrons are emitted from the heated filament, they are accelerated toward the target, typically made of a high atomic number material such as tungsten. Upon striking the target, these high-energy electrons interact with the atoms in the target material. This interaction leads to the conversion of their kinetic energy into electromagnetic radiation in the form of X-rays. A significant portion of the energy of the incoming electrons is transformed into X-rays, which can then be utilized for imaging or other applications in radiography. Understanding this concept is crucial, as it highlights the role of the target in the efficient generation of X-rays, which is foundational to the practice of industrial radiography. Other components or processes in the X-ray tube play different roles, but the primary function of the target is specifically to facilitate this energy conversion process.