X-rays can cause substances to fluoresce and affect photographic film.

X-rays can cause substances to fluoresce and affect photographic film.

• A. True
• B. False; they do not fluoresce
• C. Only after prolonged exposure
• D. They only fluoresce but do not affect film

Answer: (A)

X-rays have enough energy to excite certain materials so they emit light—that’s fluorescence. In dental imaging this is used with fluorescent phosphor screens: when X-rays hit the screens, they glow and the emitted light exposes the photographic film to form the image. X-rays can also interact with the film itself, causing chemical changes that fog or partially expose the film if exposure is high or not properly shielded. So the statement is true: X-rays can cause fluorescence in substances and affect photographic film.

X-rays have enough energy to excite certain materials so they emit light—that’s fluorescence. In dental imaging this is used with fluorescent phosphor screens: when X-rays hit the screens, they glow and the emitted light exposes the photographic film to form the image. X-rays can also interact with the film itself, causing chemical changes that fog or partially expose the film if exposure is high or not properly shielded. So the statement is true: X-rays can cause fluorescence in substances and affect photographic film.