X-rays in Medical Diagnosis – Tissue Absorption

PhysicsQuantum & Nuclear PhysicsAges 17–18

An X-ray beam passes through different tissue layers: soft tissue absorbs little, bone absorbs much more, giving the image on the film its contrast. Adjust the tube voltage, tissue thickness and tissue type to see how the absorption law I = I₀·e^(−µx) determines image quality, and why the patient's radiation dose must be weighed carefully.