What type of radiation is primarily used in X-ray radiography?

X-ray radiography primarily utilizes X-ray radiation for imaging. X-rays are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate various materials, including metals and human tissue, making them exceptionally useful for nondestructive testing and medical imaging.

When an object is exposed to X-ray radiation, the varying absorption levels of the material can produce a detailed image on film or a digital detector. This image showcases differences in density and composition, allowing for the identification of defects such as cracks or voids within the tested material.

While alpha radiation, beta radiation, and gamma radiation are forms of ionizing radiation, they are not used in traditional X-ray radiography. Alpha particles, for instance, are heavy and cannot penetrate human skin, making them unsuitable for imaging purposes. Beta particles can penetrate skin but are typically not used in radiography for material testing. Gamma radiation, although similar in some respects to X-rays, is usually associated with more penetrating power and different applications, such as in nuclear medicine and industrial radiography, but in the context of X-ray radiography specifically, it is X-ray radiation that is primarily used.