If the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, then how do X-rays show such sharp images of bones?

Question

If the rays hit the bone then reflect off, would they not travel at a diagonal and not directly back at the machine to make such an image?

In: Physics

Answer 1

When the X-ray bounces off your bones, that light is lost forever. That makes a big ol’ black spot on the image. When the X-ray passes all the way through you, that light is captured. That makes a big ol’ white spot on the image. (There are some parts that make a gradient, like fat. Some of the light went through; some didn’t).

The technician provides the negative; white becomes black, black becomes white. This makes the bones “stand out” in the image. X-ray wavelength is tiny, so a lot of them go through you, and it’s easy to get a good resolution picture.