What is the most commonly used target material in an X-ray tube?

The most commonly used target material in an X-ray tube is tungsten. This choice is correct because tungsten has a high atomic number and a high melting point, making it particularly effective for producing X-rays. The atomic number of tungsten (74) allows for efficient X-ray production, as it can generate high-energy photons when electrons strike it. Its high melting point (over 3,400°C) ensures that it withstands the intense heat generated during operation without degrading or melting.

Furthermore, tungsten is also beneficial due to its density, which contributes to better X-ray production and higher quality images. This makes tungsten ideal for use in various X-ray equipment across medical, industrial, and research applications.

On the other hand, while lead, molybdenum, and gold possess specific applications in X-ray technology—such as lead for shielding due to its ability to absorb X-rays and protect operators or molybdenum for use in mammography due to its lower X-ray energy spectrum—their properties do not make them suitable as the primary target material in X-ray tubes. Thus, tungsten remains the primary choice for this purpose in X-ray tube manufacturing.