The difference between soft X-rays and hard X-rays mainly lies in their energy, wavelength, and penetration power.
1. Wavelength & Energy
- Soft X-rays have longer wavelengths and lower energy.
- Hard X-rays have shorter wavelengths and higher energy.
2. Penetration Ability
- Soft X-rays have limited penetration and are absorbed more easily by matter.
- Hard X-rays can penetrate much deeper through dense materials.
3. Applications
- Soft X-rays are used for imaging soft tissues, studying surface structures, and certain scientific experiments.
- Hard X-rays are used for medical imaging of bones, security scanning, and industrial inspection.
4. Safety Considerations
- Both types can be harmful in high doses, but hard X-rays pose a higher risk because of their greater ability to pass through the body.