eli5: How do x-rays work?
In: Physics
X-rays, like light, ultra-violet, or infrared are all types of electro-magnetic (EM) rays. The only difference between the different types of rays is their energy (related with their wavelength). The rays are made of photos, which you can imagine are like bullets. If you are shooting at a target made of some type of gel, the more energetic bullets will pierce all the way through, while others will be stuck inside the gel, and the less energetic won’t even break into the gel and may even bounce off of it.
In this analogy, your body is the gel, and the x-rays are relatively high-energy bullets that can pierce through your certain parts of your body (soft tissue) but get stuck in your parts (bones). Behind your body, is a metal plate, and each bullet that goes pierces through your body, will hit the plate and leave a mark. Meanwhile bullets that get stuck in the bone, will not show up on the plate. If enough bullets are shot in your direction, the dimps on the metal plate will be a replica of your soft tissue, while the pristine areas will correspond to the bones inside your body.
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